Protect yourself and others from “winter vomiting”

9 December 2008

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West is urging people with "winter vomiting" not to visit their GP surgeries or hospital Accident and Emergency Units.

So-called "winter vomiting" is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus known as norovirus that can spread rapidly when introduced to closed communities such as schools, workplaces, hospitals, residential care homes and cruise ships.

Dr. Vinay Bothra, a Health Protection Consultant with the HPA's Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit, said: "As the name suggests, we tend to see more of this illness during winter. However, we know that community outbreaks can occur at any time and we want people to have the information they need to protect themselves and others from this infection before they are faced with it."

Although it can be unpleasant, norovirus illness is short-lived and the majority of people, even the frail elderly, usually recover within 2-3 days.

"Our advice is that people with winter vomiting should not visit their GP surgery or hospital A & E unit. They should rest at home, drink plenty of fluids, ensure that their personal hygiene is good, particularly hand-washing, and avoid contact with others where possible. If symptoms persist, patients should phone their family doctor or NHS Direct, the 24-hour health advice service," Dr. Bothra said.

The NHS Direct number is 0845-4647.

People with norovirus infection are also strongly advised not to visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes and they should stay off work and away from school until they have been completely free of symptoms for 48 hours.

The Agency's advice for containing and preventing the spread of norovirus infection is:

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 drink plenty to replace lost fluids. If symptoms persist, phone NHS Direct or your family doctor for advice.

Note 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. 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

Press release issued by Hugh Lamont, HPA North West Communications Manager. Tel: 0151 482 5728 or 07764 906508.

Ends

Last reviewed: 9 December 2008