Last year, we published a piece on how to treat norovirus naturally which is always drawing more readers, but there is a definite spike at the moment, so I can only assume there is another outbreak doing the rounds. This weekend was wiped out for us as Sophia and Lara came down with it, following a trip to soft play on Thursday. Here's how to survive it...
What a weekend! First Tatiana shut my finger in a door, she even managed to half latch it too - ouch! Amazingly, despite the first joint of my finger being rather flat and very sore, it doesn't appear to be broken. As you can imagine, x-rays are something we avoid, so first question to the doc when she suggested one: what would you do if it is broken? "Nothing, just strap it to your other fingers." OK, so how about no x-ray and just do that anyway, then see how it goes. "Ah yes, that's a good idea." And so I save myself a dose of radiation and save the NHS money in one go. Dear, oh dear. Anyway, that night Lara and Sophia went down with norovirus, the lovely winter vomiting bug. Oh joy!
If you and yours are hit, here's how to deal with it:
What a weekend! First Tatiana shut my finger in a door, she even managed to half latch it too - ouch! Amazingly, despite the first joint of my finger being rather flat and very sore, it doesn't appear to be broken. As you can imagine, x-rays are something we avoid, so first question to the doc when she suggested one: what would you do if it is broken? "Nothing, just strap it to your other fingers." OK, so how about no x-ray and just do that anyway, then see how it goes. "Ah yes, that's a good idea." And so I save myself a dose of radiation and save the NHS money in one go. Dear, oh dear. Anyway, that night Lara and Sophia went down with norovirus, the lovely winter vomiting bug. Oh joy!
If you and yours are hit, here's how to deal with it:
- First of all, please, please, please stay at home, and keep your children home, for 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhoea. The best and easiest way to avoid it spreading is to stay away from other people. Use a separate loo if possible.
- Do not go to the doctor's, they can't do anything for you. Antibiotics don't work on viruses. If symptoms continue for more than 4 days, phone your doctor or call NHS Direct on 111.
- Within your household, others can catch the bug from food, cutlery or surfaces you have touched, so stay well away. Wash everything thoroughly, including your hands. Use soap and water, as alcohol wipes and gels do not stop the spread, and wash hands and nails thoroughly.
- If you are around someone that has the bug, minimise contact with them as much as possible and keep everything as clean as you can. Wash your hands regularly.
- Keep hydrated, even if you don't feel like drinking water. Drink it warm if that feels better, or try through a straw, apparently it helps.
- Avoid painkillers if possible, try a hot water bottle instead. Take Echinacea several times daily, its antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity will help to reduce the severity of the symptoms. A tincture (drops) is easier to take than pills or capsules, as they will absorb without having to be digested.
- Embrace fever. Raising your temperature is part of the body’s way of defeating the virus, so let yourself sweat it out. Occasionally opening a window to allow some fresh air into your room is fine, but avoid draughts. Fragrance the room with lemon, grapefruit or rosemary essential oils to cleanse and restore.
- A soothing preparation such as Silicol® gel diluted in water will settle your stomach a little, as it physically buffers the stomach lining as well as actively countering inflammation. This is helpful after the bug has left you too, to restore your stomach and quell feelings of queasiness.
- As you begin to feel better, try sipping well diluted fruit juice or cordial or nettle tea with a drop of agave or honey, to help restore your blood sugar levels.
- Once symptoms are gone, ease your stomach back into action with slow sips of miso soup, which is both balancing and energising. Eat only well-cooked, easy to digest foods, such as well-cooked short grain brown rice or vegetable soups, and keep food as plain and natural as possible for a few days.
Additional information by Alison Cullen, A.Vogel Education Manager and Nutritional Therapist