Households told to boil wash bedding and clothes this winter due to virus risk

UK households are being advised to boil wash clothing and bedding this November in an effort to ward off a nasty winter bug. Norovirus, often referred to as the winter vomiting bug, is rife during this time of year and is currently spreading across the UK.

Implementing good preventative measures at home could prevent you from falling ill this winter. The highly contagious stomach bug is associated with approximately 12,000 hospital admissions in the UK annually.

It causes gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and intestines - leading to a range of unpleasant symptoms including sudden, watery diarrhoea and projectile vomiting. Other symptoms can include a mild fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps, and aching arms and legs.

Symptoms usually appear within one to two days of infection and typically last for two to three days, although in some cases they may persist longer. The virus spreads easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or direct contact with an infected person. For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here

It can also be contracted by touching surfaces or objects carrying the virus, then touching your mouth, or consuming food prepared by someone with norovirus. It's possible to contract norovirus multiple times as the bug constantly changes, preventing the body from developing long-term resistance, reports the Express.

With winter on the horizon, it's paramount to remain vigilant to reduce the chances of contracting ailments. The NHS suggests practical at-home strategies to prevent the spread of viruses.

They advise washing clothing and bedding on a hot cycle to eliminate any residual virus particles. Electronics giant Beko also weighs in, recommending that bed sheets should be laundered weekly at 60 degrees Celsius to stave off germs.

They note: "If you have sensitive skin, but your appliance does not feature a dedicated Anti-Allergy programme, your bedding should be washed on a hot/boil wash at 60 degrees to help prevent infections from persisting or spreading."

Moreover, the NHS advocates against sharing towels, washing hands diligently with soap and water, using bleach-based cleaners to disinfect possibly contaminated items, and cautions that alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus. If one contracts norovirus, it is advised to stay home until at least 48 hours after the symptoms desist and to steer clear of hospitals during recovery.

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