NHS ‘stay at home’ request issued to people suffering from two symptoms

Anyone who has suffered from the symptoms within the last 48 hours told ‘do not visit’

The NHS has made a request saying ‘please don’t visit’ to anyone who has two symptoms, as more people are getting a winter bug. Recently, there have been more cases of norovirus in the UK, with the total being higher than the average for the last five winters during 2024/2025.

This current season of 2025/2026 is also seeing more cases, but new information shows that the speed of this increase might be slowing down and is still at expected levels for this time of year. However, the rise is partly because of a variant called GII.17, which is spreading again, causing more people to get infected.

Some people might even catch it more than once. GII.17 is a type of norovirus that leads to outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis, and it spreads very easily.

This variant is now more common than the previously dominant GII.4 type and has recently become the most frequently found type, leading to a big rise in cases. GII.17 isn’t something new; it was actually found a few years back. It became the main type of norovirus in some places during the 2014-2015 season, and now it’s coming back this year.

In a statement online, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said: “This means that people who have already had norovirus this season may catch it again, as having one genotype does not fully protect against the other. However, at present there is no indication that either GII.17 or GII.4 leads to more severe illness.”

The increase in cases is stressing hospitals, as reported by NHS England. To help ease the strain on the NHS, hospitals have issued a ‘please do not visit us’ warning to anyone showing two common symptoms linked to the illness.

On Facebook, the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust shared a video featuring an emergency care nurse encouraging people to stay home. She told viewers: “If you’ve been unlucky enough to have any diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours, could you just please wait to visit your relatives in hospital. You might feel better, but you could still have the infection to pass it on to your loved ones, thank you.”

In the caption, the hospital added: “Had sickness or diarrhoea? Please don’t visit our hospital wards until you have been free of these symptoms for 48 hours. Help stop the spread of infection this winter to protect your local community, loved ones and healthcare services.”

What are the symptoms of n

The NHS says: “Norovirus, also called the winter vomiting bug, is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but it usually gets better in about two days.” Although it’s sometimes called the winter vomiting bug, you can get norovirus at any time of year. The main symptoms of norovirus usually start suddenly and may include:

• feeling sick
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea

You may also have:

• a high temperature
• a headache
• tummy pain
• body aches and pains

Can you treat norovirus yourself at home?

If you or your kid has norovirus, you can often take care of it at home. You’ll typically begin to feel better in two to three days, according to the NHS. Diarrhoea and vomiting can usually be managed at home. The key thing is to keep hydrated by drinking lots of fluids to prevent dehydration.

• Do stay at home and get plenty of rest
• Do drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
• Do carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
• Do give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
• Do eat when you feel able to – it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy
• Do take paracetamol if you’re in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child
• Don’t have fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse
• Don’t make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength
• Don’t give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
• Don’t give aspirin to children under 16

Can a pharmacist help with norovirus?

If you or your child (who is five years old or older) has norovirus and shows signs of dehydration like dark, smelly pee or peeing less than normal, talk to a pharmacist. You should also get medical help if you are older, have a weak immune system, or have other health issues that make you more likely to get dehydrated, or if you need to stop diarrhea for a little while. They might suggest using oral rehydration powder that you can mix with water to create a drink.

How does norovirus spread?

Norovirus is caused by a virus that spreads through poo. It can easily spread to others. You can catch norovirus from:

• close contact with someone with norovirus
• touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth
• eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus
• drinking unclean water or infected food