HEALTH chiefs are asking anyone with norovirus to stay away from the hospital.
The Department of Health says that in the last two to three days, several patients with vomiting and/or diarrhoea caused by norovirus (or the winter vomiting virus) have attended the accident and emergency department at Noble’s Hospital without being advised to do so.
In most cases the attendance at A & E was not necessary.
Vomiting and diarrhoea caused by norovirus is highly infectious and the virus has caused major outbreaks in many hospitals in the UK leading to ward/hospital closures.
Health chiefs say it is important that patients with vomiting and diarrhoea and their carers observe the following:
Do not visit A & E at Noble’s Hospital, the minor injuries unit at Ramsey, MEDS or your GP surgery.
If you need medical advice contact your GP/MEDS (out of hours) by phone and do not attend unless you have been advised to do so.
Drink plenty of fluids and stay at home (don’t go to school or work).
Follow the 48-hour rule - do not resume normal activities until 48 hours after all symptoms have ceased.
Practise good hygiene – wash your hands, and clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
FACTFILE:
Norovirus infections cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. The virus is highly infectious and can spread rapidly, especially in hospitals, residential homes and schools.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has reported that, compared with 2011, there has been an 83 per cent increase in the number of norovirus cases in England. It is also reported that in the fortnight up to December 16, there were 61 hospital outbreaks of Norovirus; this is almost double the number in the same period last year.
There is no specific treatment for Norovirus. In the vast majority of cases the symptoms subside in 24 to 48 hours.