York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is urging people not to visit their hospitals if they, or a member of their household, have nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting or had any of these symptoms within the last 48 hours.
Norovirus is the most common stomach bug in the UK. Like the flu, it spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, and care. It can be spread through contact with an infected person, by contact with contaminated surfaces or by consuming food handled by someone who has norovirus.
Typical symptoms of a norovirus infection include the sudden onset of nausea (feeling sick), vomiting and in some cases diarrhoea. Some people also experience headaches, mild temperature, and stomach cramps.
Dawn Parkes, Interim Chief Nurse, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explained:
“Generally, norovirus is brought into the hospital by a patient, staff, or visitor and once in a clinical area spread is highly likely.
We have the virus on several wards, particularly on the Scarborough site with reports of visitors having symptoms.
“We are urging people who have been unwell with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting not to visit the hospital until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours. We are also asking people to stay at home if they have been in contact with a household member who has been symptomatic as the virus can also be passed on through this contact.
“This is important because the virus is highly infectious and can be brought into the hospital by family friends or relatives. The virus is easily spread by contact with an infected person, especially through their hands. If you have any concerns about exposure to the virus, the safest thing you can do is to stay at home.”
Most people recover within two days from norovirus, however, if symptoms persist (more than 48 hours), the advice is not to go to A&E but to phone the GP or NHS 111.
The Hospital trust say their advice is:
- Please do not visit if you or a member of your household has nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting or had these symptoms within the last 48 hours
- If you have these symptoms during or after your visit, please inform ward staff as soon as possible
- Always clean your hands before and after visiting your friend or relative using the hand wash facilities on the ward
- If the ward is closed due to diarrhoea and/or vomiting only essential visits will be permitted.
North Yorkshire Council Approves Funding Allocations For Scarborough's Pride In Place Scheme
Education Bosses Committed to Sustained Improvement at Whitby School Following Academy Setback
Bridlington Nursery Teacher Takes On Yorkshire Three Peaks For Sensory Room
Scarborough's Crescent Arts Secures £70,000 for New High Street Creative Hub
Vacant Scarborough Town Centre Shop to Be Turned Into a Laundrette
North Yorkshire Shoppers Warned Over Sophisticated AI High Street Scams
Flamingo Land Could Run Scarborough's Alpamare Waterpark Even if It's Sold
Bridlington GP Services Continuing "Journey Of Improvement" Following Consolidation
Missing Scarborough Woman Found
East Riding College Student Shortlisted For National NCFE Aspiration Award
Bank Holiday Monday: Yorkshire Coast Cricket Round-up
Police Appeal After Fatal East Riding Crash
Comments
Add a comment