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People who have already had norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, could be at risk of catching it again this season, experts from the the UK’s Health Security Agency say. <\/p>\n
Data shows a different strain of the virus is on the rise and having had one strain doesn’t necessarily protect you from catching another, they advise.<\/p>\n
Norovirus can be particularly severe for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. <\/p>\n
Cases are currently still “exceptionally high” with numbers at more than double the five-season-average for this time of year, latest figure show.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said the biggest impact was being seen in hospitals and care homes. <\/p>\n
“With multiple genotypes spreading at the same time, people could end up getting infected more than once this season,” she added.<\/p>\n
Cases have been higher than expected partly because of the emergence of a recent strain of the virus called GII.17, but also because of improved ways of testing for the virus. <\/p>\n
Data now shows that a different, but more commonly seen strain, is on the rise. <\/p>\n
This means people who have already had the bug could catch it again as having one version of the virus does not fully protect you against the other. <\/p>\n
There is no suggestion that either strain leads to more severe illness than expected, however.<\/p>\n
Norovirus cases usually starts to decline as the weather warms up, but the UKHSA says it is too soon to work out whether cases have peaked. <\/p>\n
The total remains close to its record high, with an average of 1,134 patients a day in hospital with norovirus last week \u2013 down slightly on the previous week (1,160), but still nearly two and a half times that seen in the same period last year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
If you think you may have norovirus, experts advise:<\/p>\n
Many household disinfectants do not work well against the virus. Nor do alcohol hand gels.<\/p>\n
If you are concerned – for example if a young child is not able to keep fluids down or the illness does not stop after a few days – make sure you seek medical advice<\/p>\n
Do not visit hospitals and care homes or prepare food for others, until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n