Keep Well This Winter!

What is winter vomiting illness?

Winter vomiting illness is a virus that is a common cause of diarrhoea and vomiting (infectious gastroenteritis).

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms are feeling sick (nausea), vomiting and diarrhoea. This may start with sudden nausea followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people may also experience fever and ‘flu-like symptoms’. Most people make a full recovery within a couple of days, but some people (usually the very young or elderly) may become dehydrated and require hospital treatment.

How does it spread?

Winter vomiting illness is highly infectious and is easily spread from person to person. It can also be spread through contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

How can I reduce the spread?

It's not always possible to avoid getting the vomiting virus, but following the advice below and you can help stop the virus spreading -

• Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed. You should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.
• It is important to wash your hands with hot water and soap, particularly after contact with someone who is ill, after using the toilet, and before preparing food. 

• Do not share towels or flannels.
• Disinfect any hard surfaces or objects that an infected person has

touched. Use a bleach-based household cleaner, but use a detergent-based  product on soft furnishings.

•  Wash any clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated with the virus. Wash the items separately and on as hot a wash as possible to make sure the virus is killed.
• Flush away any infected bowel movements (faeces) or vomit in the toilet. Disinfect the surrounding area. Flush the toilet with the lid down.

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