Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
02 March 2012 08:47
People in Virginia have been urged to wash their hands regularly after several cases of acute gastroenteritis were reported
A larger than usual outbreak of a highly contagious stomach bug has been reported in the US state of Virginia.
Health officials said the number of acute gastroenteritis cases was 20% higher than at the same time last year and have urged residents and visitors to wash their hands regularly and take other simple measures to avoid being infected.
Acute gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines which can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, stomach ache, headache and fatigue.
It is usually caused by norovirus and can spread easily through close contact with another person or contaminated food or water. People who carry the virus can be contagious for up to two weeks after recovery, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
The highest numbers of acute gastroenteritis cases are usually reported in January and February.
People already suffering from health problems should look into pre-existing medical travel insurance before heading to Virginia.
19 April 2018
A self-injected smart drug may be the key to easing and preventing pain for migraine sufferers.
[more...]
17 April 2018
Despite its reputation as a party drug, ketamine is licensed as an anaesthetic. A recent US study found use of the drug via a nasal spray led to "significant" improvements in depressive symptoms in the first 24 hours.
Simple brain-training exercises carried out at home have been shown to reduce emotional stress in female breast cancer survivors, it's recently been revealed.
13 April 2018
Drinkers who consume more alcohol than UK guidelines suggest could be cutting years off their lives, according to new research.
12 April 2018
A recent study has revealed that people who sustain brain injuries are at an increased risk of developing dementia later in life.
11 April 2018
Scientists have announced their latest breakthrough in the battle against Alzheimer's disease, after neutralising a high-risk gene in a human brain cell for the first time.
07 April 2018
The Philippines is set to shut its most famous holiday island of Boracay for six months, after the President described it as a "cesspool".
05 April 2018
Taxes on soft drinks, alcohol and tobacco - nicknamed "sin taxes" - could be a powerful step towards combating rising rates of chronic diseases worldwide, research has suggested.
New "one-stop shops" to speed up cancer diagnosis are being trialled across the country for the first time.
30 March 2018
Doctors should tell patients that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking but not without risk, according to new national guidance.
29 March 2018
Young people suffering from mental health problems are finding it hard to get the support they need, a survey has revealed.
28 March 2018
Children exposed to epilepsy drugs in the womb may achieve poorer test results at school, a study has suggested.