Tuesday, 26 January 2010
The Norovirus bug which is currently affecting hospitals right across the UK has led to the closure or partial closure of nine wards in Swansea.
Eight of the wards are in Morriston Hospital, and Ward 2 in Hill House Hospital is also affected. The Morriston Wards are Ward R, Ward T, Ward V, Ward S, Ward G, Ward W, Anglesey Ward and Ward H.No new patients are being accepted onto the wards until the virus is cleared. ABM’s Infection Control team is working with ward and housekeeping staff to control the spread of the bug.
The public is now being urged to co-operate with hospital staff to help stop the virus, commonly known as the Winter Vomiting Disease, from spreading further. Key points to remember are:
- Please don’t visit hospital if you are ill, or have been ill within the last few days. (You could still be infectious)
- Norovirus is unpleasant, but the vast majority of cases can be safely cared for at home
- And please don’t come to A&E unless it is absolutely necessary.
ABM’s Lead Nurse for Infection Control Delyth Davies said:
“Norovirus illness can be quite unpleasant, particularly when you are a patient in hospital. We have procedures to help contain the virus in hospital but it can still cause significant disruption.
“We need the public to practice good hygiene and ask visitors to help us out by not coming into hospital if they’ve had diarrhoea or vomiting.
“We’ve had feedback from our ward staff that visitors who have recently had diarrhoea and vomiting, or still have symptoms, are attending the wards. “
Advice to the Public
Keeping visitor numbers to a minimum is vital because Norovirus is in the general community. Although some people may be feeling better after having symptoms recently, they could still be infectious for a short while afterwards (72 hours after symptoms have stopped). This means they may inadvertently bring the bug onto wards where there are patients who are more likely to become ill with it.
And the public are also being asked to avoid using A&E unless they have a serious illness or injury. Patients with everyday conditions must go to their GP instead.
And the public are also being asked to avoid using A&E unless they have a serious illness or injury. Patients with everyday conditions must go to their GP instead.
Hospital Checklist:
• If you can avoid it, please don’t come to hospital if you have had an episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.
• If you can avoid it, please don’t come to hospital if you have had an episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.
• The vast majority of Norovirus episodes, though unpleasant, are over quickly and you can be cared for safely at home. By coming to hospital you risk spreading the infection to other patients, including those who are already poorly.
• If you have been ill recently, avoid visiting a patient until several days have passed since your symptoms ceased, as you could still be infectious.
• If you have a friend or relative in hospital who has Norovirus, please delay visiting them until they are over the infection. If you do visit, take special care over hand hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly, or use an antiseptic gel-rub, before coming onto the ward and again before you leave.
What to do if diarrhoea and vomiting hits your household this winter
Every year many patients with diarrhoea and vomiting arrive as emergencies at ABM hospitals. But even though their symptoms might be very unpleasant, most don’t actually need to be admitted to hospital.
Every year many patients with diarrhoea and vomiting arrive as emergencies at ABM hospitals. But even though their symptoms might be very unpleasant, most don’t actually need to be admitted to hospital.
In fact, coming into hospital with diarrhoea and vomiting – which could be managed at home – puts other patients who are already poorly at risk of additional infection. That’s because the bug is very contagious.
It also places staff at unnecessary risk of catching it!
Winter is a busy time in hospitals across Wales, and it is important that staff time is used looking after people who really need hospital care.
About diarrhoea and vomiting illness
When clinicians refer to what is commonly known as the Winter Vomiting Disease, they call it Norovirus Gastroenteritis. Norovirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting in Wales and the rest of Europe. The illness can occur at any time of the year, but appears to be more common in winter months.
Although there are about 3,500 reported cases annually in the UK, the true incidence is believed to be about 1% of the population each year. Although a relatively mild infection, Norovirus infection can occur at any age because even if you have it once, you are not immune to another bout.
The incubation period for Norovirus is anything from four hours to three days, and symptoms usually last 12-60 hours. The onset is sudden, and those affected often feel very nauseous and start vomiting.
• Over half also suffer abdominal cramps;
• One in three have a headache, muscle pain, a temperature and loss of appetite;
• Diarrhoea is usually mild and watery, with no blood or mucus present.
People usually get over Norovirus within two or three days, but remain infectious for 48 hours, and possibly up to 72 hours after their symptoms stop.
What to do if you or a loved one gets a Norovirus infection
Admission to hospital is usually not necessary, and should be considered only in the most extreme cases.
The key to managing cases at home is maintaining hydration, which can usually be achieved through taking regular sips of fluid, despite the vomiting. Your GP should be able to provide specific instructions about what kinds of fluid to take. If the illness strikes in the evening, at a weekend, or Bank Holiday and you can’t get hold of your GP, contact your local GP Out-of-Hours Service instead, for advice. Contact details for this service should be available on a voicemail message at your local GP surgery.
It’s also a good idea to stock up on a supply of oral rehydration solution at home if you have a baby or young child. Use the solution when diarrhoea first occurs. You can get it at any pharmacy without prescription.
Medications, including antibiotics (which have no effect on viruses like Norovirus), should be avoided unless specifically recommended by a doctor.
Hygiene advice during an episode of Norovirus infection
The Norovirus bug is very easy to catch, but there are still things you can do to reduce the risk of infection.
• Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly should be your number one priority. Good hand hygiene is proven to be the best way to stop the spread of infection. So if you have the illness keep your hands as clean as possible after you’ve been ill or gone to the toilet. If you are nursing a loved one, wash your hands after attending to them.
• You can also pick up a Norovirus infection from a contaminated surface. Use gloves when you clean the toilet or any bowl or bucket which has contained vomit. Wash your hands when you remove the gloves.
• After an episode of diarrhoea or vomiting, disinfect the toilet, the toilet seat, toilet handle and any other bathroom surfaces which were touched by hands before they were washed. You can use a disinfectant that claims effectiveness against Norovirus, or a weak solution of household bleach.
• Keep visitors to a minimum, and make sure they follow the hand-washing rule as well.
• Remember to keep up the extra hygiene practices until two or three days after the symptoms have gone.