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Dangerous infection could ruin New Year's Eve
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Everyone, young and old, is looking forward to the New Year holidays, because this is a great opportunity to have fun, take a break from workdays and celebrate the arrival of the New Year with your family or in a noisy company of friends.
However, even these bright moments can be overshadowed by infectious diseases that quickly find a new host. According to Ian Clarke, professor of molecular microbiology and virology at the University of Southampton, during the holiday season, infections spread very quickly, because people wish each other a Happy New Year, kiss and hug, which increases the risk of catching bacteria. Even after the symptoms of the disease have subsided, and a person considers himself completely healthy, he can still be a source of infection and infect healthy people.
Research by scientists shows that they are not the only ones concerned about this problem. People have already started stocking up on antibacterial hand gel, sales of which have increased by 52% compared to last week.
Norovirus infection is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea. The mechanism of transmission of microbes is oral-fecal, and the respiratory route is also possible. Symptoms of the disease include nausea, weakness, elevated body temperature, diarrhea, vomiting, pallor and symptoms of general intoxication of the body.
The patient's health returns to normal within a few hours or a day. Norovirus infection is very contagious, so even the smallest dust particles with norovirus can provoke the disease. This disease is most dangerous for children and the elderly.
The number of cases of norovirus poisoning this winter is up 72% on last year, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Health Protection Agency, which monitors the spread of norovirus in the UK. This year's figures have risen to 2,630 cases compared with the same period last year, when there were 1,533 laboratory-confirmed cases. In addition, for every case reported in the outbreak, there are around 288 unreported cases. That could mean that around 750,000 Britons may already have been infected.
Despite the fact that the infection can reach a person not only in winter, but at any time of the year, it is most common in the winter season.
Despite the measures taken by doctors, for example, relatives of patients are prohibited from visiting them for at least 48 hours, the virus is still spreading quickly and the number of its victims is only growing. Doctors say that many are not happy with such radical methods and express their indignation, but this forced measure will help contain the spread of the infection.
Experts are extremely concerned that the outbreak of the disease is happening during the New Year and Christmas holidays, because kindergartens and schools will be hosting parties and festive events for children, which significantly increases the risk of contracting norovirus infection.
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