Anyone suffering from norovirus is to isolate themselves immediately until it passes, a Manchester doctor has advised.
The virus, which affects up to one million people annually, causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is best fought by avoiding contact with anyone who has contracted the illness and washing your hands if you do need to visit an infected relative.
Dr Ivan Benett, Central Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group’s clinical director, warned the winter vomiting bug is especially prevalent in schools and nurseries as it can survive on surfaces for several days.
Dr Benett said: “If possible it’s best to stay at home and if you need medical advice ring instead of visiting your GP because the virus is so contagious.
“It’s very important to contact your doctor quickly if your child or baby has underlying health conditions or is showing signs of dehydration and listlessness.”
He also confirmed the important thing to ensure when children are infected is to avoid them becoming dehydrated by regularly giving them milk or fruit juice.
Furthermore children should be quarantined up until 48 hours after they have recovered as the illness is extremely contagious.
For more information please contact NHS Greater Manchester Commissioning Support Unit on 0161 212 4885 or email [email protected].
Image courtesy of Think Defence via Flickr, with thanks.
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