If you haven’t had a stomach bug in the past week or so, you probably know someone who has.

Because people have been falling like dominoes as the nasty bug spreads in Gloucestershire.

Public Health England is saying that anyone who gets the bug, which appears to have symptoms similar to norovirus, should drink plenty of water and rest.

It has also advised people to stay off work and for parents to keep children out of nursery and school for at least 48 hours as it’s highly contagious.

One man, from Up Hatherley, Cheltenham, went down with the bug on Friday - two days after his two-year-old daughter was ill.

The man, who did not want to be named, added: "I thought it was food poisoning to start with, but then other friends of the family started to feel sick.

"Then another friend, who I hadn't seen for a while, got ill as did her husband.

"She was told by doctors that there was a bad bug going around at the moment.

"Six people I know have got poorly in recent days.

"Luckily, mine cleared up in less than 24 hours."

What is norovirus?

The main symptoms of norovirus are, according to the NHS

  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • diarrhoea
  • being sick (vomiting)

You may also have:

  • a high temperature of 38C or above
  • a headache
  • aching arms and legs

The symptoms start suddenly within 1 to 2 days of being infected.

Public Health England and NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group said they had not been alerted to any specific reports of increased incidents of a stomach bug.

But they said symptoms sound like norovirus, which is often described as the winter vomiting bug and causes projectile vomiting and diarrhoea.

It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about two days.

Advice from NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group

Self-care advice

  • If you are unwell and have symptoms of norovirus or a stomach bug, stay at home as it may be contagious
  • Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and take paracetamol for any fever, aches and pains
  • If you feel like eating, eat foods that are easy to digest
  • If your symptoms last longer than a few days or if you already have a serious illness, call NHS111 or your GP surgery for advice

General advice:

  • Do not visit healthcare facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes if you have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting until two days after symptoms have stopped (even if your symptoms were mild)
  • If you are a patient due to have a planned stay in hospital and you develop diarrhoea and/or vomiting just before your visit, please inform the ward / department to let them know. They can advise you whether it is safe for you to come into hospital
  • Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. You should always do this after using the toilet and before preparing food. This is good practice whether or not you have symptoms
  • Do not handle or prepare food for other people until you have been free of symptoms for a minimum of three days

Good hand hygiene is important to stop the spread of the virus and people with the bug should not visit A&E or GPs as this may spread the virus.

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Last winter, cases of the winter vomiting bug were on the rise in Gloucestershire.

From October 2 to December 4 2017 there were 15 outbreaks of the norovirus in Gloucestershire, compared with 10 during the same period in 2016.

Care homes can be particularly affected by the virus.