If you are planning to show some affection to your loved one on Valentine’s Day – make sure your hands are clean.

That’s the message from NHS Suffolk as it encourages people to regularly wash their hands and avoid catching norovirus, the country’s most common stomach bug.

In Suffolk, hundreds of people every year catch norovirus, which is commonly known as the winter vomiting bug. Across the U.K. up to one million people every year are affected.

Sufferers get bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting which last for one or two days, but may remain contagious even after they start feeling better.

The bug is passed from person to person, mainly where bathroom facilities are shared, and can become a problem in institutions such as hospitals, schools and care homes.

Dr Andrew Hassan, NHS Suffolk’s medical director said: "Norovirus is highly infectious, however, there are some simple steps which you can take to prevent yourself from becoming an unfortunate victim of this bug.

"People should follow basic hygiene rules and use soap and water to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet and before preparing food.

"Anyone who is suffering from the illness should stay at home and drink plenty of fluids. They should stay away from other people wherever possible, particularly avoiding visiting hospitals, for at least 72 hours after they have recovered, even if they feel better. Otherwise they run the risk of unknowingly passing the illness onto others.

"Most people will recover quite quickly from the illness but anyone whose symptoms are not improving after 48 hours should seek medical help."