A warning has gone out after cases of the hospital superbug Norovirus were reported in hospitals and schools across Cornwall.
Health chiefs are pleading with people to stay away from Royal Cornwall Hospital and community hospitals if they are ill with a sickness or diarrhoea bug.
Norovirus causes unpleasant symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, a temperature, headache and aching limbs and is highly contagious. There is no specific treatment for the bug and most people make a full recovery within two days. Some people, usually the very young or elderly may become dehydrated and require hospital treatment.
Norovirus can cause problems in hospitals and care homes if brought in by visitors.
Once on the wards, the bug can lead to cancelled operations, delayed recovery and prevent other patients from being admitted. Anyone who has, or is recovering from Norovirus, should avoid visiting hospitals or care homes. You should still go to the emergency department if you need emergency medical attention, but please tell staff if you have diarrhoea or sickness symptoms.
Lisa Johnson, nurse consultant director of infection prevention and control at NHS Kernow, said: “Cases of Norovirus continue to affect our hospitals and care homes, so we need everyone to reduce the spread of the virus by remembering the basic rules of good hygiene.
"This will help reduce the spread of infections. You can reduce the risk by washing your hands properly and avoiding contact with people with symptoms.
“If you do get a bug like this, please don’t visit someone in a hospital or care home for at least three days after symptoms have disappeared, otherwise you could be putting vulnerable people at risk. This will make sure seriously ill people can recover and hospitals and care homes can perform as they need to. Staff can plan for hospital visits from people who have Norovirus in exceptional circumstances if they are forewarned.
“People with suspected Norovirus who have hospital outpatients appointments should telephone outpatients to establish if it is appropriate for them to attend, and anyone needing emergency care should declare their symptoms as soon as they arrive.”
These simple precautions can reduce the spread of Norovirus:
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- Have plenty of rest
- Thorough hand washing to prevent others becoming infected. Always clean your hands with soap and hot water when entering and leaving a hospital, nursing home or anywhere else where there are vulnerable people
- Do not handle or prepare food for other people for a minimum of 48 hours until symptom free
- Avoid contact with anyone suffering from the virus for two to three days after they are completely free of symptoms
- Medical advice should be sought if symptoms continue beyond 48 hours
Call the NHS 111 helpline if symptoms do not quickly subside or you have additional concerns; visit NHS Choices website nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus or your pharmacist.