Households across the UK are being urged to boil wash clothing and bedding this November to stave off a nasty winter bug.
Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug taht can be caught all year round, but it typically becomes more rife during the colder months as people spend more time indoors, with close contact making it much easier to spread. The virus, which is commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, has started to increase in the UK in recent weeks, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), so households are urged to be vigilant. The virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, is spread very easily through contaminated food, water and surfaces, direct contact with someone who is infected, touching contaminated surfaces or eating food that has been prepared by someone with norovirus.
It’s possible to get norovirus more than once as the bug is always changing, meaning your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it, so it’s important to take measures this winter to lower your risk of catching it.
Health experts say there are simple steps you can take at home to prevent the virus spreading, including washing clothes and bedding on a boil or hot wash at a temperature of at least 60C, as this will kill any virus particles that may be lingering.
According to electronics brand Beko, it is good practive for households to wash bed sheets at least once a week on boil wash to prevent bugs from spreading.
It states: “If you have sensitive skin, but your appliance does not feature a dedicated Anti-Allergy programme, your bedding should be washed on a hot/boil wash at 60 degrees to help prevent infections from persisting or spreading.”
Households are also urged not to share towels or flannels, and to disinfect surfaces or objects with a bleach-based household cleaner. Regular hand washing with soap and water is also recommended as alcohol-based hand gels don’t kill norovirus.
In its advice to households on preventing the spread of norovirus, the UKHSA says: “Wash any contaminated clothing or bedding using normal washing powder at 60°C, and if possible, wear disposable gloves to handle contaminated items.
“Disinfect contaminated surfaces using bleach-based cleaning products where possible, as norovirus can survive on surfaces for days or weeks otherwise.”
If you do catch norovirus you should stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped and avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, added: “While norovirus remains within expected levels, we’re seeing an increase in cases so please remember the simple steps we can all take to stop norovirus spreading.
“At the moment the highest rate of cases is in children so if your child has any symptoms, please keep them off school or nursery until 48 hours after their symptoms stop.
“If you’re unwell, don’t go to work or prepare food for others until 48 hours after your symptoms end and avoid visiting hospitals and care homes to prevent spreading the infection to vulnerable people.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.”
