HEALTH experts are urging people with vomiting or diarrhoea to stay away from work or school until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

The recommendation from the North-East office of the Health Protection Agency is to help to limit the spread of seasonal winter vomiting illness.

It is also important that people who have had the bug do not visit relatives in hospitals or care homes until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

Most bouts of winter vomiting are caused by norovirus infection which is the most common cause of gastro-enteritis in England and Wales. It is estimated that norovirus affects between 600,000 and 1m people in the United Kingdom every year.

Noroviruses cause a very unpleasant but generally short-lived illness from which people will usually recover without treatment. The main symptom is vomiting, which can be projectile, and is sometimes accompanied by diarrhoea. Some people may have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.

Dr Deb Wilson, from the North-East HPA, said: "Norovirus is highly infectious and it can spread rapidly in hospitals, care homes, sheltered housing accommodation and schools which is why people should stay away from work or school until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

"It is not usually necessary to seek medical advice unless symptoms persist for more than a few days.

"They should stay at home and take plenty of fluids until they are free of symptoms for 48 hours. If the illness persists for more than a few days, they should contact their family doctor by phone or take advice from NHS Direct either by calling 0845 4647 or visiting www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk."

If you live in County Durham or Darlington, you can also call 111.