Tackling the norovirus and other common bugs this winter
Regular readers of our blog will remember that we included a story about the Norovirus in our December Newtons Medical News.
Unfortunately this bug is proving to be particularly prevalent this year, so Newtons Medical Supplies has stocked a choice of useful products to help manage winter germs.
A recent article on the Daily Mail website has highlighted that laboratory-reported cases of the norovirus were 48% higher in the first two weeks of December 2019 than the average for this time of year.
One of the problems posed by the norovirus is that it is highly contagious so spreads like wildfire – particularly during the cold winter months when we spend a lot of time indoors.
How to avoid the norovirus
The Daily Mail article highlights common sense advice from experts on the best way to avoid the bug on a day to day basis, and particularly if someone in your household has it:
Regular hand washing
It is very important to wash hands regularly. Using soap and water is the best approach, but this isn’t always practical so it is sensible to have antibacterial wipes on hand for when you don’t have access to a sink.
Our 100 packs of Clinell Antimicrobial Hand Wipes are individually wrapped and come in a highly convenient pocket size. They are a great way to hygienically clean hands and keep them moisturised – particularly when you don’t have access to soap and running water.
Available in packs of 100 from our online shop
Clean and sterilise surfaces
If someone in your house contracts the norovirus, it is vitally important to clean-up as many of the germs as possible in order to stop the virus from spreading. Any vomit should be cleared immediately and removed outside or flushed down the toilet. Bleach should then be used on the area to kill germs.
Surface wipes can also be used as an alternative. Our Clinell Universal Wipes can be used for surface disinfection and non-invasive medical devices. They have a proven kill rate of 99.999% and are effective against many infections including MRSA, Acinetobacter, VRE, Hepatitis B & C, TB and Norovirus.
Bedding and other household items
If someone in your household is unwell or has been sick, materials such as bed linen should be washed at 60 degrees or higher, and crockery or cutlery at a high heat in a dishwasher. All uncovered food nearby should be thrown away.
If someone has been ill in your bathroom, as well as cleaning all surfaces, toothbrushes should either be disposed of or boiled and use specialist sprays for soft furnishings or any other areas which can’t be washed.
If you are unfortunate enough to contract the virus – the NHS has some advice which you can read about on their website.
Don’t forget to:
- Stay at home and avoid contact with others for 48 hours
- Make sure you remain hydrated
- Seek medical advice if you don’t feel better after a few days or you have other medical conditions. It is best to seek advice by ‘phone in order to stop the virus from spreading.
Need more information?