Norovirus

Health chiefs are calling on people who have a sickness bug to take steps not to spread their infection - and to treat themselves properly at home.

Norovirus is circulating widely in the community at the moment.

Dr Bryan Heap, Medical Director at NHS Norfolk, said: “There is no specific treatment for a norovirus infection and you will usually not need to visit a doctor. The best thing to do is remain at home and look after yourself properly.”

There are simple steps for people to take if they feel poorly:

• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly after toilet visits and before eating.
• Do not handle or prepare food for other people until you have been symptom free for a minimum period of 48 hours.
• Stay away from work or school until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.
• Do not visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes as there is a real risk that you would introduce the infection to the establishment.
• Do not visit your GP surgery or local A&E Unit. Norovirus infection is a self-limiting illness and you will recover naturally without treatment. It is, however, important to take plenty of drinks to replace lost fluids. If symptoms persist, phone NHS Direct or your family doctor for advice.

A large number of patients have been turning up to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in recent weeks feeling unwell with norovirus symptoms when, in the majority of cases, they might well have chosen to remain at home.

It has caused some wards to close and others to be disrupted. People are being urged to follow the advice above and to look after themselves properly at home.

A sickness bug can make you feel very poorly but we stress that in the majority of cases, it can usually be managed at home by taking rest and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.

It is important to stress that bringing such an infection into hospital spreads an infection such as Norovirus to other people who may already be ill or recovering from surgery. This is in no-one's interest."

What are the symptoms?

Norovirus is actually the name for a group of viruses which cause upset stomach. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases a fever, headache, stomach cramps and aching limbs. Symptoms can last for 12 to 60 hours, but most people recover within two days

How is it spread?

It is estimated that noroviruses infect between 600,000 and one million people in the UK every year. Norovirus infections occur in people of all ages and outbreaks of the illness are common, particularly within contained environments such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools. This is because the norovirus spreads very easily from person to person and can survive for several days in a contaminated area.

Noroviruses can be spread through contact with an infected person, through contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with the virus, or by consuming contaminated food or water.

After having a norovirus infection it is possible to become infected again, because immunity to the virus only lasts for a short period of time.

More information

For more information about Norovirus, visit the NHS Choices website at:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Norovirus/Pages/Introduction.aspx