Ahead of the ‘winter vomiting season’ Somerset’s director of public health is reminding people to stay at home if they have the symptoms of the Norovirus infection.

The symptoms are very distinctive and people often report a sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people also experience headaches, mild temperatures and stomach cramps.

Such symptoms are not normally life threatening and last no longer than 24 to 48 hours.

There is no treatment for the virus but it is important to keep hydrated to combat the loss of fluids. Most people will recover within a few days and there are no long-term effects.

The illness is highly infectious and great care needs to be taken to prevent its spread.

When introduced to hospitals, care homes and other establishments where people live or work together in close proximity it can have major consequences such as the closure of hospital wards to new admissions, staff going off work sick and appointments being cancelled.

Trudi Grant, Somerset’s director of public health, said: “Outbreaks of Norovirus infection are common as winter approaches. However, the impact on individuals and care settings can be limited to some extent by taking some simple actions to help stop the virus spreading.

“Simple things like washing your hands properly, being very careful with the handling of food and avoiding contact with other people who show symptoms will all help avoid getting infected.

“Although most people will usually get better in a day or so, people who are physically frail can be affected far more severely. Extra care should be taken to prevent babies and small children who have diarrhoea and vomiting from dehydrating by giving them plenty of fluids.”

Cllr Anna Groskop, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said: “We all need to help our local hospitals and care homes, particularly at this time of year. So please help yourself, your family and local community by following the advice to stop the spread of infection this winter.”