A GP has issued advice for parents on how they can avoid their children contracting the unpleasant winter vomiting bug.
The winter vomiting bug, officially known as norovirus, is highly contagious and causes symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. The virus can spread quickly through schools and creches during the cold weather, particularly before symptoms become apparent.
Dr Máire Flynn, a Clare-based GP, told RTE’s Today with Claire Byrne she has not witnessed many cases of the disease so far. However, she says an increase in cases is likely as people become more confined to indoor settings over the winter months.
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She told RTE listeners: “I would suggest pushing the hand hygiene with children, particularly small children. It’s difficult but they have learnt it over the past few years and it’s good to reinforce it in winter.”
She also said that she would recommend the removal of children from school or creche premises if they show symptoms of the virus. However, this does not automatically avoid the spread of infection as children can be highly contagious before they start to feel sick.
The spread of norovirus amongst very old and very young people is often concerning as the disease can cause dehydration through excessive vomiting. However, Dr Flynn reassured parents that the majority of norovirus cases go away quickly and are not severe in nature.
The doctor also responded to other listener queries, including concerns about RSV cases. Respiratory syncytial virus can be worrying when it presents in babies and toddlers as it makes feeding difficult. She advised parents of babies with specific symptoms to be on alert.
She added: “Some babies become distressed with it and we need parents to know about it as they may have difficulty feeding. They may look very lethargic or irritable and it’s very important to catch that. Those babies need a little bit more care and would possibly need to be admitted to hospital in that situation.”
The medical advice follows recommendations that children receive the nasal spray flu vaccine. The vaccine is available to all people aged from 2 to 17 free of charge. It is likely provided without cost for this age cohort as children are more susceptible to contracting the flu than adults.
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