How to beat vomiting bug this winter

The NHS and Kent County Council (KCC) want the people of Ashford to beat the bug this winter.

The contagious norovirus, which can affect people of any age and is most prevalent in winter, cannot be treated with antibiotics and early symptoms show nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea that can last for 12 to 60 hours, but sometimes longer.

Andrew Scott-Clark, KCC interim director of public health, said: “Whilst this condition, sometimes called ‘winter vomiting disease’ or ‘winter vomiting bug,’ is an unpleasant experience, the infection tends to be short-lived and most people will just need to drink plenty of fluids and take plenty of rest.

Dirty cutlery

“However, people who are already ill, such as patients in hospital, can sometimes get quite poorly as the illness can interfere with the effectiveness of the medicines they are taking and also make them weak and dehydrated.”

The NHS and KCC advise that to prevent the illness, people should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, avoid using dirty cutlery, make sure all food is thoroughly cooked and avoid contact with someone suffering from norovirus.

For more information www. nhs.uk/Conditions/Norovirus/ Pages/Introduction.aspx