NOROVIRUS CAN LINGER ON CLOTHES FOR UP TO A MONTH, EXPERT WARNS
Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, can survive on unwashed clothes for up to a month, according to an expert. The virus, which causes nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, spreads through close contact with infected individuals or by touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated.
Fabric-lined items like chairs, pillows, and curtains can also hold onto the norovirus bug. Synthetic materials, such as polyester, hold onto the virus longer than natural ones, like cotton and wool.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend washing and drying clothes in a high-heat setting, using biological washing detergents, and running an empty hot-water cycle with bleach once a month to clean the washing machine.
Washing hands thoroughly with water is the best line of defence against the bug, but alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill the virus. Experts also warn against relying on hand sanitizers alone to stop the virus, as they can’t break through the virus’s protective protein coat.
The NHS already warn against sharing towels, cutlery, and phones without proper sanitation, as this can easily spread the virus. It’s also essential to clean surfaces touched by someone infected with norovirus and to avoid vacuuming up vomit or contaminated areas.
Recent figures from the UK Health Security Agency show that cases of norovirus have surged by 40 per cent compared to previous years, with 4,523 reports recorded in the UK this year.
Most people with norovirus will recover at home without needing to visit a doctor, but if someone is severely ill, they can ask their GP for anti-sickness medication. Antibiotics don’t work for viral infections like norovirus, and rehydration drinks like Dioralyte can be used to replenish salts and fluids.