Help stop spread of winter vomiting bug
2:52pm Monday 29th October 2012 in News
DOCTORS have issued some simple guidelines to help prevent the winter vomiting bug from spreading through the community in the coming months.
With the cold weather arriving, the Norovirus nug is now circulating in the community, causing sickness and diarrhoea.
The bug, previously known as 'Norwalk', can leave some people - especially the young and elderly - dehydrated and requiring medical treatment. If it finds its way into hospital and care settings, it can disrupt patient care.
Doctors have issued the following advice; *Anyone who has the symptoms of Norovirus should avoid contact with others for a minimum of 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped.
*Do not visit health care settings if you or someone you have been in contact with has had diarrhoea and/or vomiting until 48 hours after symptoms have ceased.
*Wash your hands frequently with warm water and liquid soap, especially after using the toilet and before preparing food. Alcohol hand gel will not kill this virus.
*If you are concerned about the health of the person you are visiting, please speak to a member of staff.
*Do not handle or prepare food for other people until you have been symptom free for a minimum of 48 hours.
The virus can be caught from contact with an infected person, by consuming contaminated food or water, or from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
Lisa Johnson, nurse consultant director of infection prevention and control for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said: “We are asking the public to follow these simple hygiene measures in order to protect the already sick and vulnerable in hospital and care settings from this nasty virus.
“It spreads very easily from one person to another and can survive on surfaces for a long time. It's so important to ensure you are free of it before you go back into circulation and to ensure areas affected are cleaned and disinfected to prevent infection of others.”
It is hoped that by following good hygiene advice, we can all limit the virus's ability to spread across the community and into hospital and care settings. Anyone concerned about the health of someone they know should contact their GP.
