Norovirus A guide for patients and visitors - Papworth Hospital
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A guide for patients and visitors
Norovirus
A guide for patients
and visitors
1A guide for patients and visitors
What is Norovirus? What are the symptoms?
Norovirus, or as it is more • The symptoms are typically
commonly known, the winter a sudden onset of vomiting
vomiting bug, is caused by and/or diarrhoea. Symptoms
a group of viruses that are usually appear 12-48 hours
the most common reason for after being infected.
gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and
vomiting) in the UK. • The illness lasts for a specific
length of time whether
How is it spread? or not it is treated, with
The virus can be spread by symptoms usually present for
contact with infected people, 12-60 hours.
by consuming contaminated • People infected may be able
food or drink, or by having to pass the virus to others for
contact with contaminated up to 48 hours before they
surfaces or objects. It can also have symptoms.
be spread by airborne droplets • Some people suffer from
during a vomiting episode. a raised temperature,
These can then be inhaled by headaches and aching limbs.
other people.
Most people make a full
recovery within one to two
days.
The elderly and the very young
are the most vulnerable and
may need hospital treatment
for dehydration.
1A guide for patients and visitors
What causes outbreaks of hand washing and by being
Norovirus? particularly careful when
Outbreaks can occur because handling food.
the virus is very infectious and
is easily spread from person Patients infected by Norovirus
to person. Also it can survive should be isolated for a further
in the environment for many 72 hours after their symptoms
days. have ceased. Thorough hand
washing with soap and water
There are also many different is the best way to prevent the
strains of Norovirus and spread of infection. Hands
immunity is short-lived. This must always be washed after
means that people are very going to the toilet, helping
susceptible to contracting someone else to the toilet and
Norovirus especially in semi- before eating.
closed environments such as
hospitals, schools and offices. How is Norovirus treated?
There is no specific treatment
How can these outbreaks be for Norovirus apart from
controlled? letting the illness run its
Outbreaks can be difficult to course. It is important to drink
control and last for a long time plenty of fluids to prevent
because the virus is so easily dehydration. The elderly or the
transmitted. very young may need hospital
treatment if they become
The most effective way to dehydrated.
control outbreaks in hospital
is to restrict staff and patient
movement from the affected
area and reduce the number
of visitors. This usually means
closing the ward to new
patients.
It is also very important to
maintain high standards
of hygiene, especially with
2A guide for patients and visitors
I am suffering from Norovirus; Will I be admitted to hospital if
how can I prevent others from I have Norovirus?
becoming infected? Norovirus infection is normally
• Quarantine yourself until short-lived. If your symptoms
you have been symptom-free persist longer than three days
for 72 hours. without any improvement or
if you, or someone you are
• If you have an outpatient caring for, are showing signs of
appointment either when dehydration, then you should
you are symptomatic or contact your GP. In the vast
within the 72 hour period, majority of cases, admission to
please contact the relevant hospital is not necessary.
department to arrange
another date. Am I allowed to visit if I am
• Do not come to the hospital unwell?
as a visitor. If you have Norovirus, any
• If you are a patient you must tummy bug, or coughs and
tell staff that you have, or colds, please do not visit
have recently had diarrhoea friends or relatives who are
and/or vomiting. patients in the hospital.
• Good hand washing with In emergency or critical
soap and water is important situations, please contact
to prevent the spread of the relevant department for
Norovirus (alcohol gel is not further advice.
effective).
• Use bleach on sinks and We hope you can be reassured
toilets at home if a member by the information contained
of the family has diarrhoea in this leaflet, and understand
and/or vomiting. that the measures being taken
are part of our continued
commitment to the prevention
and control of infection within
Royal Papworth Hospital.
3A guide for patients and visitors
Further information
Please do not hesitate to ask a member of the ward staff in the
first instance if you have any further questions, or ask to contact
a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Team as listed
below.
Infection Control Nurse
01223 638685
Bleep 186
4A guide for patients and visitors Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Papworth Road Cambridge Biomedical Campus Cambridge CB2 0AY Tel: 01223 638000 www.royalpapworth.nhs.uk A member of Cambridge University Health Partners Author ID: Infection Control Nurse Large print copies and Department: Infection Prevention and Control Reprinted: September 2018 alternative language Review date: September 2021 versions of this leaflet Version: 4 Leaflet number: PI 70 can be made available © 2019 Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on request.
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