HEALTH chiefs are pleading with the public to steer clear of visiting anyone in hospital if they’ve had ‘flu-like’ symptoms in the previous four days.
The call comes as medics brace for the arrival of colder weather in a bid to keep the highly contagious norovirus away from wards, outpatients and emergency departments.
Symptoms of norovirus include diarrhoea and vomiting and, just like flu, the virus can seriously affect vulnerable patients.
Mari Gay, Interim chief nursing officer at the local health trust said: “People want to see friends and relatives in hospital as often as they can. However, by visiting while they’re ill with a stomach bug, they can easily bring the virus into hospital. This can be particularly serious for people who are already ill or who have a long-term condition.”
Good hand hygiene can help to limit the spread of the infection and although people usually recover without treatment in 24 to 72 hours, Ms Gay said it was important they stayed away from work, school, college or any social gatherings until free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.
For more information and advice about winter illnesses visit www.nhs.uk/staywell.
