The 5 ‘most easily missed’ symptoms of the extremely contagious norovirus strain sweeping the UK

A NEW strain of norovirus is spreading crossed the UK - but immoderate symptoms could beryllium mistaken for different viruses.

Norovirus, often referred to arsenic the 'winter vomiting bug', is simply a precise contagious microorganism that causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The latest study connected wintertime illnesses from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed the Kawasaki norovirus, besides referred to arsenic saltation GII.17, present accounts for 70 per cent of cases.

Kawasaki norovirus was archetypal detected successful the metropolis of Kawasaki, Japan, backmost successful 2014, and rapidly established itself arsenic the predominant strain.

GII.17 viruses person been reported since 1978 and they person a unsocial quality to swap portion of their familial codification and make somewhat antithetic versions of themselves.

This whitethorn person allowed them to survive, accommodate and dispersed successful the colonisation implicit the past fewer decades.

Discussing the caller spike successful norovirus cases, UKHSA said: "There has been an summation GII.17 variant since April 2024, and during the archetypal 16 weeks of the 2024/2025 play this was the astir commonly detected norovirus genotype.

"The summation of the variant has been observed successful different counties and is being intimately monitored."

Spotting the symptoms of norovirus is cardinal successful helping halt the spread.

Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes, a lecturer successful microbiology astatine Teesside University, advised what to look retired for.

Norovirus symptoms

The astir communal symptoms are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• High somesthesia
• Headache
• Aching arms and legs

But different symptoms linked to norovirus could beryllium easy missed oregon mistaken for thing else, said Dr Lopes. These include:

• Chills
• Mild assemblage aches
• Mild tummy discomfort
• General malaise oregon utmost fatigue
• Diarrhoea without nausea oregon vomiting

Norovirus attraction

Unfortunately there's nary attraction for norovirus, you person to fto it tally its course.

The NHS advises staying astatine location and keeping good hydrated by drinking plentifulness of fluids.

You tin instrumentality paracetamol for immoderate aches oregon pains, and if you consciousness similar eating, effort plain foods, specified arsenic soup, rice, pasta and bread.

But successful immoderate cases, norovirus symptoms tin go much severe.

Dr Lopes said: " Intense vomiting and diarrhoea tin pb to dehydration, with symptoms similar dizziness and debased urine output. Painful tummy cramps, fever, and assemblage aches are besides possible.

"Vulnerable groups, specified arsenic young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, whitethorn acquisition much prolonged and superior symptoms, sometimes needing aesculapian attention."

UKHSA adept proposal

Amy Douglas, epidemiologist astatine UKHSA, said the half-term schoolhouse interruption interrupted the upward inclination that's been seen precocious successful norovirus levels.

But cases are apt to emergence again arsenic we caput towards Christmas.

She advised: "To assistance trim the dispersed of norovirus you tin take steps to debar passing the corruption on. If you person diarrhoea and vomiting, bash not instrumentality to work, schoolhouse oregon nursery until 48 hours aft your symptoms person stopped and don’t hole nutrient for others successful that clip either.

"If you are unwell, debar visiting radical successful hospitals and care homes to forestall passing connected the corruption successful these settings.

“Washing your hands with soap and lukewarm h2o and utilizing bleach-based products to cleanable surfaces volition besides assistance halt infections from spreading. Alcohol gels bash not termination norovirus truthful don’t trust connected these alone.”