'Do not visit us': Warning from hospitals in the North East as norovirus cases circulate
Patients in the North East are being asked not to visit hospitals if they have these symptoms 🚨
- Patients are being urged not to visit hospitals with these two symptoms.
- Cases of norovirus are circulating across the North East.
- Norovirus can cause serious complications in vulnerable groups.
A hospital in the North East has urged patients not to visit if they have these two symptoms.
Cases of norovirus have been circulating ahead of the festive season. Also known as the “winter vomiting bug”, norovirus is highly contagious and can easily be spread through close contact.
Latest data from the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed that the highest rates of cases are in children of school or nursery age.
Norovirus can be serious as it can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people.
In a post on Facebook, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: “Had sickness or diarrhoea? Please don’t visit our hospital wards until you have been free of these symptoms for 48 hours. Help stop the spread of infection this winter to protect your local community, loved ones and healthcare services.”
Similar to Covid and the flu, there are many different variants of norovirus, with GII.17 being responsible
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
Symptoms of norovirus can develop quickly, with the virus having an incubation period of 12 to 48 hours. Early signs include vomiting and diarrhoea, followed by a high temperature, headache and general aches and pains.
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “If you’re unwell, don’t go to work or prepare food for others until 48 hours after your symptoms end and avoid visiting hospitals and care homes to prevent spreading the infection to vulnerable people.”
How to avoid catching norovirus?
Norovirus is caught through close contact with someone who is infected, touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth or by eating food that has been prepared or handled by someone who has norovirus.
Hand sanitiser is not effective against norovirus, so the best way to protect yourself is to wash your hands with soap and warm water.
If someone in your home has norovirus, it’s recommended that you handle any contaminated items with disposable gloves, clean contaminated surfaces with bleach-based disinfectants and wash all contaminated clothing or bed linens at 60 °C.
Norovirus cases are circulating. You can find out more about symptoms and how to avoid it spreading throughout your household at NHS.UK.