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Protect yourself and others from “winter vomiting”

15 December 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) London is urging people with "winter vomiting" virus to restrict visits to their GP surgeries or hospital Accident and Emergency Units to limit the spread of the infection to others.

Norovirus is also called 'winter vomiting disease' because it usually occurs during the winter months. Cases usually start to appear during the autumn, peaking during January. Norovirus is the most frequent cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales and typical symptoms are vomiting and diarrhoea. The symptoms usually last from 12 to 60 hours and often start with the sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and diarrhoea.

Norovirus affects people of all ages. Most people recover very quickly but immunity to it is short-lived and it is easily transmitted from one person to another. It thrives in semi-closed environments where large numbers of people congregate, so schools, nursing homes and hospitals are most affected. It can particularly have an impact on hospital services during the winter. If the infection is brought into hospitals it can result in wards needing to be closed.

Dr Brian McCloskey, London Regional Director of the Health Protection Agency, said:
"A&E units in London are already dealing with an increased number of norovirus cases this year. The typical symptoms are vomiting and diarrhoea. Although it can be unpleasant, winter vomiting is generally a mild and short-lived illness and the majority of people usually recover within 2-3 days.

"There is no specific treatment for the illness. If you have winter vomiting you should rest at home and drink plenty of fluids. Unless diarrhoea and vomiting are very severe, our advice is that you should not visit your GP surgery or hospital A&E unit. When ill you and others in the house should ensure that personal hygiene is good, particularly hand-washing, and if you have symptoms you should avoid contact with others where possible. If symptoms persist, you should phone your family doctor or NHS Direct, the 24-hour health advice service on 0845 46 47."

The Agency also strongly advises that people with winter vomiting should not visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes and should stay off work and away from school until they have been completely free of symptoms for 48 hours. This is to prevent causing further outbreaks and cases of the infection.

Tips for containing and limiting the spread of winter vomiting:

  • 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 as you will recover naturally without treatment.
  • Ensure you drink plenty of fluids.
  • If symptoms persist, phone your family doctor for advice or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

-ENDS-

Contact:
Emily Collins - 0207 759 2824 / emily.collins@hpa.org.uk
Tycie West - 0207 759 2834 / tycie.west@hpa.org.uk

Notes to editors:

  • Norovirus infection is the most common cause of gastro-intestinal illness in the UK with between 600,000 and one million people affected every year.
  • The symptoms can be unpleasant while they last, with vomiting, fever and sometimes diarrhoea.
  • Most people recover from norovirus infection within two to three days. Please avoid going to A&E or visiting your GP unless symptoms persist or are particularly severe. Anyone who is worried about norovirus can contact their GP or call NHS Direct (0845 4647). NHS Direct is a 24-hour service.
  • Transmission is from person-to-person and the infection spreads easily amongst people who reside or work in close proximity, such as in hospitals, residential care homes, schools and cruise ships. As stated in the press release, people with norovirus symptoms should avoid visiting such communities.
  • Information on norovirus infection is available on the website:
    http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/norovirus/menu.htm

Last reviewed: 5 January 2009