Bug sweeping the UK is making Brits feel 'the worst they have ever felt'

With the days getting shorter and the nights getting colder Norovirus is on the rise over the winter months. The highlycontagious bug has been called the 'winter vomiting bug', and is wholly unpleasant if you're unlucky enough to catch it.

But while the virus normally makes a bigger appearance later in the year, this year it seems as though the bug has spiked in Britain earlier than usual. Data released by the NHS indicates that infections have risen by 29 percent between September 23 and October 6.

This is around double the usual level of outbreak expected at this time of the year. But luckily, there are things you can do to help protect yourself against the bug.

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Common symptoms for norovirus include the three main ones. These are nausea, diarrhoea, and, unsurprisingly, vomiting, Birmingham Live reports.

Patients might also experience headaches, pains in the arms and legs, as well as a high temperature. These symptoms can come on very suddenly after you are first exposed to the virus itself.

As for what you can do when you have the bug, the main thing is to make sure you're drinking plenty of water. This is because two of those three main symptoms means you'll be losing a lot of water from, well, both ends.

Amy Douglas from the UK Health Security Agency, who specialises in epidemiology, said: "Norovirus levels have remained higher than expected recently and cases are likely to increase." Douglas also shared advice for what to do if you do contract norovirus.

She said: "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."

As for some things you can do to help prevent the spread of the virus, these are often simple measures. Douglas said: "Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading."

However, Douglas warned that hand sanitiser alone will not be enough. She said: "Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so don’t rely on these alone."