Winter vomiting outbreak lays low 100,000 a week

The dreaded 'winter vomiting' virus is sweeping across the UK, affecting up to 100,000 people per week.

The Health Protection Agency confirmed to the BBC that the number of cases of people contracting the norovirus this year was the highest since 2002, while the Royal College of GPs has urged workers affected by the virus to remain at home for 48 hours after the symptoms have gone.

The stomach bug is not dangerous, but is described as particularly unpleasant for sufferers.

It is easily spread by contact with an infected person and the HNS as also warned people with the illness to stay away from hospitals, GPs surgeries and to take paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids and call their GP for advice.