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Three million caught vomiting bug Three million suffer vomiting bug
(10 minutes later)
Almost three million people have been affected by norovirus so far this winter, figures suggest. Almost three million people have been affected by the norovirus stomach bug so far this winter, figures suggest.
Surveillance from the Health Protection Agency shows the number of cases in England and Wales are double those seen last year. Surveillance from the Health Protection Agency shows cases in England and Wales are double those seen last year.
Doctors advise people to stay at home for 48 hours after their symptoms have gone to reduce the risk of the stomach bug spreading. Doctors advise people to stay at home for 48 hours after symptoms have gone to cut the risk of the bug spreading.
The HPA said the norovirus season began unusually early this year. The HPA said the norovirus season began unusually early. For every one of the 1,922 reported cases, it is estimated another 1,500 have been unreported.
Laboratory reports from the last three months of 2007 show 1,922 cases. These cases will have been in people who did not visit the doctor.
For every case reported to the HPA, there are an estimated 1,500 cases that go unreported because people do not need to visit the doctor.
This equates to around 2.8 million people affected so far this winter and the virus is still circulating.This equates to around 2.8 million people affected so far this winter and the virus is still circulating.
Norovirus - also known as winter vomiting disease - is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis in the UK.Norovirus - also known as winter vomiting disease - is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis in the UK.
Hospitals have been affected by outbreaks with many wards around the country having to close to new admissions to prevent the spread of the illness.Hospitals have been affected by outbreaks with many wards around the country having to close to new admissions to prevent the spread of the illness.
Easily spreadEasily spread
Onset is very sudden with vomiting and diarrhoea.Onset is very sudden with vomiting and diarrhoea.
Some people may also feel feverish.Some people may also feel feverish.
Illness can occur at any age because immunity to it is not long-lasting.Illness can occur at any age because immunity to it is not long-lasting.
It is not normally dangerous but the very young and very old are most at risk of complications from dehydration.It is not normally dangerous but the very young and very old are most at risk of complications from dehydration.
The HPA said they had expected a higher number of recorded cases as methods used for detecting norovirus in the laboratory had improved.The HPA said they had expected a higher number of recorded cases as methods used for detecting norovirus in the laboratory had improved.
But they advised people to practise good hygiene including hand washing and disinfecting contaminated surfaces if anyone has become ill.But they advised people to practise good hygiene including hand washing and disinfecting contaminated surfaces if anyone has become ill.
Food preparation should also be avoided until 48 hours after symptoms have disappeared.Food preparation should also be avoided until 48 hours after symptoms have disappeared.
There is no specific treatment for norovirus other than letting the illness run its course but it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially in the very young or elderly.There is no specific treatment for norovirus other than letting the illness run its course but it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially in the very young or elderly.