The brutal illness that is currently sweeping the nation has reached seasonal highs, and it doesn’t show any signs of improving.

Luckily, health experts and the UK government have provided advice on what to do if you catch the infamous norovirus.

The ‘Kawasaki bug’ variant, named after the Japanese city it originated from, is currently taking the country by storm, as Brits have been told to stay home for days if they catch the illness.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), almost 70 percent of all norovirus cases in the country are of this particular variant of the disease.

Norovirus is currently sweeping the nation (Getty Stock Photo)

UKHSA took to X to say: “While #norovirus cases remain high, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid spreading the infection.”

In their latest official National norovirus and rotavirus report, they also detailed: “Norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks, with total norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 42 to 43 of 2024 more than double the 5-season average for the same 2-week period,” adding that in the 2024/25 season, it is 26 percent higher than average.’

What is norovirus?

Norovirus a short-lived illness that can go in around two to three days, which the NHS describe as ‘very unpleasant’.

Symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, a fever, a headache, and arm and leg aches can indicate that you have contracted the virus.

Young children and the elderly, or those with weakened immunity, are more at risk of suffering prolonged illness.

How do you stop the spread of norovirus?

It is transmitted through contact with people, UKHSA explained, as well as surfaces or objects that may be contaminated with it.

The way to avoid it is to stay clean and wash your hands throroughly, as often as you can.

This will stop it from spreading, and it should be noted that hand sanitisers are not effective against the infection.

In addition, six pointers have been shared with the public on what to do if you do fall ill with norovirus:

Don’t use antibiotics

You should avoid antibiotics as these fight bacteria, not viruses.

Stay hydrated

Throwing up and having diarrhoea causes your body to lose not just water, but salts too. It is crucial to drink plenty of fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration.

Stay at home

It’s important that you stay home where possible, as the laws behind taking time off work due to the illness have also been outlined.

The government also urges people not to send children to school until their symptoms have subsided for 48 hours, and visiting your GP while symptomatic is not recommended.

Calling your GP on the phone, reading the NHS norovirus webpage or contacting 111 are ways to find out more if you are worried about your symptoms.

You should stay at home for at least two days if you fall ill with norovirus (Getty Stock Photo)

Avoid cooking for others

You should wait for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped to prepare food for others, as the virus can be spread through contaminated food when handled by people with the condition.

Wash clothes in hot water

Contaminated clothes or bedding should be washed with detergent at 60°C if possible, and it is advised you wear disposable gloves to handle anything contaminated.

Use cleaning products

Bleach-based cleaning products should be used to disinfect contaminated surfaces – a simple wet cloth won’t suffice in removing the chances of it passing over.

There is no cross-strain immunity when it comes to norovirus, so it is possible to have several infections in a short period of time.

Taking care and following the government’s advice above can save you from catching it in the colder months, when the virus thrives.

Here is the NHS guidance on how to deal with the brutal winter illness currently sweeping through the UK.

Colder months are only just beginning however Brits are already being warned about the infamous and highly contagious ‘winter vomiting bug’ which is back with a vengeance – despite the relatively mild autumn temperatures.

Ah, the joys of winter (Getty Stock Images)

The virus we’re referring to is of course norovirus, with epidemiologists currently warning that cases are currently higher than usual for this time of year.

In fact, between 23 September and 6 October laboratory reports of the illness were more than double the average for the same two-week period over the past five years.

What is norovirus?

Better known as either the ‘winter vomiting bug’ or the ‘diarrhoea and vomiting bug’, norovirus is a pretty grim bug that can last for around 48 hours and bring a whole host of unpleasant symptoms. These include nausea, diarrhoea and, of course, vomiting.

Other symptoms also include a high temperature, headaches and aches throughout your body.

Symptoms are also believed to start around one to two days after exposure, which means you may have been infectious without even realising it.

How do I treat norovirus?

The majority of norovirus cases can be treated at home with plenty of rest and fluids, in order to combat dehydration from the liquids currently making their way out of both ends.

Norovirus can be a brief but very unpleasant bug (Getty Stock Images)

Painkillers can also help to ease aches and pains, while it’s also advised to stick to plain foods and not eat too much at once in order to avoid upsetting your stomach.

If you’re feeling lousy with norovirus it’s unlikely that you’ll want to get out of bed, which is a good thing because expert advice urges anyone infected to spend the next 48 hours away from work or school in order to avoid infecting others.

Don’t try and tough it out, as your colleagues won’t be happy if you make them all sick as well.

However this is something we should all have lots of practice with, given the pandemic.

Explaining the importance of the ’48-hour rule’ UK epidemiologist Amy Douglas said: “To help reduce the spread of the infection, if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, take steps to avoid passing the infection on.

Your co-workers won’t thank you for bringing this one in (Getty Stock Images)

“Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped, and don’t prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.”

Perhaps the most important piece of advice Douglas shared was that hand sanitiser is ineffective against norovirus and urged people to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.

You aren’t the only one feeling like crap at the moment as it appears a brutal cold is currently sweeping the UK.

Brits have been complaining about being unable to get a good night’s sleep, while some have been forced to call in sick for work.

Taking to a UK Reddit feed, people have openly been discussing their colds and many have reported the same symptoms.

Have you been feeling under the weather lately? (Getty Stock Image)

“A lingering, persistent cough absolutely ruins me. It stops me sleeping, it disturbs those around me and it makes people in public uncomfortable,” one person wrote.

Another added: “Cough is the worst. I can sleep through the rest, but I can’t sleep with a cough.”

While someone else said: “When you spend the day feeling like you’re getting better, but then night time comes and you feel just as bad as you did at the start. F**king hate it.”

“Whenever I get a cold it goes straight to my sinuses and it’s the worst,” a fourth penned.

“It makes one of my eyes water constantly, and the pressure makes my entire face feel like it’s going to explode.”

There are plenty of ways to treat a common cold (Getty Stock Image)

The chances are, you probably have the common cold, and the NHS says it usually lasts for a week to two.

Main symptoms include:

• A blocked or runny nose
• Sneezing
• A sore throat
• A hoarse voice
• A cough
• Feeling tired and unwell

If you’ve also got a high temperature, aching muscles or a loss of taste or smell, that could also mean you’ve got a common cold.

To help you get better as soon as possible, the NHS has revealed the best way to go about it.How to treat a common cold:

• Make sure you have plenty of rest
• Stay hydrated and drink a lot of water
• Try and eat healthier meals to stay full, and lay off the junk food
• Gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat (though this is not suitable for children)
• Drink hot water with lemon and honey to help with a sore throat
• Breathe in steam to ease a blocked nose by sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running
• Don’t smoke, as it could make your symptoms worse

However, if your symptoms do not go away after two weeks, then you should contact your GP.

“You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than a week as this can make your symptoms worse,” the NHS adds.

“Do not use other cough and cold medicines if you’re also taking paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets as you may take more medicine than you should.”

The NHS have urged Brits who have been struck down by the ‘quad-demic’ of illnesses sweeping the country to help stop the spread.

Socialising is a big part of the festive season, but unfortunately, seasonal viruses stop for no one, which is why health bosses are asking people to do them something of a favour by staying away from others if you feel unwell.

Earlier this month, medics warned that a ‘tidal wave’ of patients were being hospitalised with flu, while coronavirus, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases were also on the rise.

This formidable foursome, which ‘circulate every winter in different peaks’, have been wreaking havoc over the last few weeks.

Dr David Lloyd, an NHS GP, previously told Sky News that the risk and complication rate of people catching all four of these illnesses at once spikes at this time of the year, which is why they are dubbed a ‘quad-demic‘.

The quad-demic of illnesses have took down a lot of people over Christmas (Getty Stock Image)

He explained that December is the ‘peak time’ for them to spread due to all of the festive parties and Christmas catch-ups taking place, adding: “So even if you are fit and healthy, your chances of catching all of these illnesses is quite high.”

It seems as though every man and his dog has been contaminated with some kind of lurgy over the last few weeks, so the NHS has issued some fresh advice on how to keep healthy.

NHS Greater Manchester have shared some tips for staying fighting fit while enjoying the festivities, as well as asking those who aren’t feeling great to ‘take one for the team’ and stay at home.

Experts reckon that these ‘small, yet highly effective’ steps could slash your risk of becoming ill over New Year or passing viruses on to someone else, with the latest guidance stating: “Supposed to be going to a Christmas party but feeling unwell? Take one for the team and stay at home so that everyone else doesn’t get ill.”

So although you might have to swap your plans for 31 December for something a bit quieter, you could save your nearest and dearest from wiped out in bed for a week by one of the quad-demic illnesses.

Swings and roundabouts, eh?

The NHS also encouraged Brits not to bypass good old H20 in favour of booze just because it’s Christmas, adding: “It’s important you drink at least one glass of water with and between each meal to keep you hydrated, healthy and ready to fight off any germs.”

The NHS shared some fresh advice on how to stay healthy while enjoying the festivities (Getty Stock Image)

Similarly, people were also reminded to eat fruit and vegetables – especially sprouts – to support their immune health, as stuffing yourself with festive chocolates won’t really cut it.

Other advice including staying active, staying warm and keeping good hygiene.

Ahead of Christmas Day, the NHS national medical director called on Brits to do what they can to minimise the pressure that hospitals are under.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis said (via The Independent): “The NHS has been hit hard with an early festive flu season, putting increased pressure on staff as they prepare for the long winter ahead of us.

“In response to the flood of flu cases so early in the season, the NHS has been making it as easy as possible for people to get protected with a jab, including vaccination centres in supermarket car parks and football clubs, helping protect almost 29 million people across England – while also opening up more hospital beds.

“As children finish school and friends and families congregate over the Christmas period we expect viruses to continue to spread so if you haven’t got your flu jab and are eligible please come forward, and the public should think twice about seeing loved ones if they are seriously unwell.”

So it might be best to cancel those plans if you’re feeling a bit ropey, as you could easily take down another household too.