The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West has repeated its plea to people with norovirus infection (winter vomiting) not to attend GP surgeries or hospital Accident and Emergency Units, to avoid the risk of passing on infection to more vulnerable patients.
The Agency is also urging people with the winter vomiting bug not to visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes and to stay away from work or school until they have recovered and been symptom-free for 48 hours.
“Norovirus is the most common cause of gastro-intestinal infection in the UK with up to one million cases recorded every year,” says Dr. Ken Lamden from the HPA’s Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Unit. “It is particularly prevalent in the winter months.
“Norovirus infection is an unpleasant but short-lived illness from which the majority of people, even the frail elderly, will recover quite naturally in 12 to 60 hours without any treatment other than rest and the replacement of lost fluids.
“However, it is a highly infectious illness that spreads rapidly when introduced to closed environments such as hospitals, residential care homes, cruise ships, schools and work places.
“That is why we are strongly advising people with “winter vomiting” not to visit GP surgeries or hospital Accident & Emergency units. People with symptoms should stay at home, ensure that their personal hygiene is good, particularly hand-washing, and avoid contact with others.
“However, if symptoms persist the patient should ring NHS Direct for advice or arrange a telephone consultation with the family GP.”
• The NHS Direct number is 0845-4647.