Advice for People with “winter vomiting”

8 December 2009

People with norovirus infection, often referred to as "winter vomiting," should resist the temptation to attend Christmas parties and other social functions, the Health Protection Agency North West advised today.

They should isolate themselves at home until they have recovered fully and they should not return to work, school or college or attend any events until they have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

Furthermore, they should not visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes whilst infectious.

Professor Qutub Syed, Director, Health Protection Agency North West, said: "Norovirus infection is the most common cause of gastro-enteritis in the UK, affecting between 600,000 and one million people every year. Because it is more commonplace at this time of the year it is sometimes referred to as winter vomiting.

"It is generally a short-lived illness from which most people, even the frail elderly, recover without any treatment other than rest and taking plenty of drinks to replace lost fluids.

"However, norovirus is highly infectious and it can spread rapidly in close-knit communities such as hotels, cruise liners, schools, hospitals and residential care homes. That is why people with the infection should stay at home until they have been clear of all symptoms for a minimum of 48 hours, to avoid the risk of spreading it to others.

"Norovirus infection in a hotel can be extremely costly in terms of lost revenue and the cost of cleaning up operations - not to mention the damage to the hotel's reputation. When the virus gets into a hospital it is often necessary to close wards and cancel routine surgery to contain the spread and that is a real shame for all concerned."

Professor Syed added that people with norovirus symptoms should not attend GP surgeries or hospital A & E units where they might pass on infection to more vulnerable patients. Instead, they should ask for a telephone consultation with their GP or phone NHS Direct for advice.

The NHS Direct number is 0845-4647.

Notes to editors

The symptoms of norovirus infection are violent vomiting, fever and sometimes diarrhoea. Transmission is from person-to-person and, as stated in the press release, the infection spreads easily amongst people who live or work closely together in hospitals, residential care homes, schools, colleges, cruise ships and hotels.

The Agency's advice for 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 take plenty of drinks to replace lost fluids. If symptoms persist, phone NHS Direct or your family doctor for advice.

Further information on norovirus infection is available on the HPA website:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/HPA/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/1191942172966/

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

Ends

Last reviewed: 8 December 2009