Thursday, 25 October 2012
The season of Norovirus – the Winter Vomiting Disease will soon be with us both in the local community and hospitals. ABM Health Board is urging everyone to remember they can help stop this virus spreading.
Norovirus is not nice. It is a virus which causes stomach upsets (sickness and/or diarrhoea) and spreads very easily from one person to another person. It can be distressing and upsetting for anyone, but even more so for the very young, elderly and those who already have an illness.
For patients in hospital it can be especially serious, and to protect them, when cases of Norovirus are suspected or diagnosed we sometimes have to stop admitting patients into wards and stop visiting.There are things we can all do to help stop the spread of the virus at home, in the community and hospitals.
Nicola Williams, Assistant Director of Nursing at ABM Health Board, said: “We can all help reduce the spread of the sickness and/or diarrhoea bug by remembering to wash our hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before handling food.
“Also, it is very important if you, or a member of your family, have sickness and/or diarrhoea you stay at home for at least 48 hours from the last time you were sick and/or had diarrhoea.
“Even if your symptoms have stopped, don’t be tempted to pop to the shops, attend social functions, visit a relative, go back to work/ school, or have friends or extended family visit you before the 48 hours are up. You could still pass the virus to other people during this time.”
You can also help us ‘spread the word and not the virus’ by downloading free copies of our ‘Wash Your Hands’ and ‘Norovirus Advice’ posters from the Norovirus section of our website www.abm.wales.nhs.uk Please print off as many copies as you need and put them up in your local community.
We’ve already sent the poster out via Facebook and Twitter. You can see it by ‘liking’ ABM.healthboard on Facebook. Or by following @ABMhealth on Twitter.
Information about Norovirus plus details on how to wash your hands properly to help reduce the spread of the virus are available on the ABM website www.abm.wales.nhs.uk
Advice to the public:
What to do if you or a loved one gets a Norovirus infection
While Norovirus is an unpleasant, but relatively mild illness for most people, there are some vulnerable groups who are more at risk of complications, usually from dehydration. These include the very young and the elderly, or people with underlying health problems like diabetes. In some cases they may require medical help or need to come to hospital, if advised by a doctor.
While Norovirus is an unpleasant, but relatively mild illness for most people, there are some vulnerable groups who are more at risk of complications, usually from dehydration. These include the very young and the elderly, or people with underlying health problems like diabetes. In some cases they may require medical help or need to come to hospital, if advised by a doctor.
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, please telephone your local GP Out-of-Hours Service for advice on 0330 123 9180.
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 a prescription.
Medications, including antibiotics (which have no effect on viruses like Norovirus), should be avoided unless specifically recommended by a doctor.
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
There are five basic ways to manage diarrhoea and/or vomiting and prevent the spread of diseases such as norovirus:
There are five basic ways to manage diarrhoea and/or vomiting and prevent the spread of diseases such as norovirus:
- Careful handwashing is the most important prevention measure that you can take. Wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap and warm water and dry afterwards. Do not share towels.
- Use gloves when handling soiled articles from ill people. Wash soiled clothing and bed linen on ‘hot cycle’.
- If looking after someone with gastroenteritis (upset stomach), carefully disinfect toilet seats, flush handles, wash-hand basin taps and toilet door handles daily and after use. Use a bleach-based household cleaner, diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions and use a disposable cloth for cleaning.
- Maintain good personal hygiene and hygienic preparation and serving of food.
- If you have gastroenteritis (upset stomach), don’t return to school or work until you have been symptom-free for 48 hours. Don't visit patients in local hospitals and long-term care facilities. While many people tend to feel better sooner, illness can still be spread if they return to work or school within 48 hours since the last symptom. Keep visitors to a minimum, and make sure they follow the hand-washing rule as well.
