UK households warned 'stay at home' over violent bug which common remedy 'won't cure'

A "stay at home" warning has been issued as a violent bug sweeps the UK - and a common remedy WON'T work. The NHS and UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) are both warning Norovirus is on the rise up and down the country.

As we head towards Christmas, reports of norovirus cases have increased by 31.6 per cent between November 4 and 17, compared to the two weeks prior. The UKHSA is now urging anyone with symptoms of the highly contagious virus to 'stay at home', to avoid spreading it further.

A usual germ-killing remedy — hand sanitiser — does not kill the virus, it warns. The UKHSA warns: "To reduce the spread of norovirus, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, as alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against the virus. Stay at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop and disinfect surfaces using a bleach-based cleaner where possible."

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To stop norovirus spreading, you should wash your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water after using the toilet or contact with a sick individual and before preparing and eating food and stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

You should not rely on alcohol gels instead of washing your hands, as these do not kill the virus, wash any contaminated clothing or bedding using detergent at 60°C using disposable gloves to handle any items and use bleach-based cleaners to disinfect surfaces.

If you catch norovirus, stay home for 48 hours after your symptoms clear. Most people will make a full recovery in 2 to 3 days without needing any medicine. It is important to keep hydrated – especially children and the elderly.

Try not to visit A&E (accident and emergency) or GP surgeries if you have symptoms of norovirus unless advised to do so by a healthcare professional, as this may spread the bug to others. Call ahead to a GP or ring NHS 111 if you are worried about your symptoms.