Wash that bug right out of your air!

There is still a prevalence of the winter vomiting bug, “norovirus”, in the region and with local hospitals seeing higher numbers then expected, your NHS wants to help you help yourself and avoid falling ill.

“The winter vomiting bug can be a serious illness and although most people can recover from resting at home and drinking plenty of fluids; it is causing some more vulnerable people to need hospital treatment,” said Dr Graham Watkinson, Southampton public health consultant for the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster. “Norovirus causes a sudden attack of vomiting, often accompanied by diarrhoea and tummy pains.”

“There are things you can do to prevent yourself and loved ones from suffering though,” said Dr Graham Watkinson who explained. “Spread of the norovirus infection is by contamination of hands, food, equipment and surfaces with infectious particles from vomiting or diarrhoea. It is important that you regularly wash your hands with soap and water and remember to clean hard surfaces especially sinks and toilets with detergent followed by disinfection with household bleach solution to prevent environmental contamination and spread. If you get a tummy bug; do not visit hospitals or health facilities, such as your GP practice, as this increases the risk of spreading the infection to vulnerable patients and staff. It could also mean wards need to close.

“Norovirus can be more serious for some groups of people, especially for the young and elderly who are more generally unwell. If a baby or child is ill with either vomiting or flu-like symptoms and you have any concerns ring your GP or NHS Direct for advice.”

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust currently has five wards closed to new admissions due to outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting. They too are encouraging people not to come to hospital if the visit is not essential.

Dr Graeme Jones, director of the infection prevention unit at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Although we are now seeing fewer cases of diarrhoea and vomiting within hospital as wards begin to reopen, it is vital members of the public keep non-essential visits to a minimum as the number of winter vomiting bugs in the community remains high.

“Our staff are working hard to contain and eradicate the remaining cases to enable us to open all wards and return to normal activity as soon as possible, but these efforts may not succeed if visitors come into hospital having recently been ill and trigger more outbreaks among vulnerable patient groups.”

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you care for who is suffering from the vomiting bug you should ring your GP. If you’re not sure where to get help or whether you need to see a doctor call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.