UK households are being urged to boil wash clothing and bedding in January to stave off a contagious sickness bug.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that cases of norovirus are high right now, with many people still falling ill this winter.

Norovirus - also known as the winter vomiting bug - is linked to around 12,000 hospital admissions in the UK every year and spreads very easily, so it’s important to take precautions.

The bug causes gastroenteritis resulting in sudden, watery diarrhoea and projectile vomiting, as well as a slight fever, painful stomach cramps, headaches and aching limbs for around two to three days.

It’s easily spread through contaminated food, water and surfaces, through direct contact with an infected person and by eating food prepared by someone with the virus.

To make matters worse it’s possible to be infected more than once, so even if you’ve already had norovirus this winter there is a chance you’ll get it again. This is because the bug is always changing so your body isn’t able to build up any long-term resistance.

It means that being vigilant and taking precautions at home is highly important this winter to minimise the risk of catching it.

The UKHSA urges households to wash all clothing and bedding on a boil or hot wash, at a temperature of at least 60C, to kill any virus particles and stop it spreading to others.

Electronics brand Beko says you should wash your bed sheets at least once a week on boil wash to prevent bugs from spreading.

It said: “If you have sensitive skin, but your appliance does not feature a dedicated Anti-Allergy programme, your bedding should be washed on a hot/boil wash at 60 degrees to help prevent infections from persisting or spreading.”

Households are also urged not to share towels or flannels, and to disinfect surfaces or objects with a bleach-based household cleaner. Regular hand washing with soap and water is also recommended as alcohol-based hand gels don’t kill norovirus.

In a warning on X, the UKHSA said: “We are currently seeing more norovirus cases than in any season since we started our current reporting system. Got these symptoms? Feeling sick, diarrhoea, being sick. You may also have a high temperature, headache, aching arms and legs.

“Stay at home for 48 hours after your symptoms clear. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Wash soiled clothes and bedding at 60 degrees. Don’t go to work or school, visit care homes or hospitals, or prepare food for others.”