LARGE numbers of people suffering with a virus across Morecambe Bay are being advised to stay at home and rest.

Symptoms include a sore throat, headache and raised temperature, said Dr Andy Knox of Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group.

Dr Knox said "a lot of people" were unwell with the virus and the best way to treat it was to get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and take paracetamol.

"If your throat is really painful you can gargle salt water, or you can go to your nearest pharmacy and pick up over-the-counter remedies, said Dr Knox, the GP executive lead for health and wellbeing for the Morecambe Bay CCG.

“It’s important to remember that if you’re ill, you are infectious until all of your symptoms have cleared up and this can usually take a week or two. Antibiotics are not prescribed for viruses as they are only effective against bacterial infections.

“To reduce the risk of spreading a virus remember to regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap, use tissues when you cough or sneeze and bin those tissues immediately."