Download Norovirus - patient information

Information for patients
Norovirus (winter vomiting disease)
What is norovirus?
Norovirus belongs to a group of viruses that are the most common cause of infectious
gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) in the UK. Norovirus is sometimes referred to as
‘winter vomiting disease’ because it is most common during the winter months, but
infections can occur at any time of year.
How does norovirus spread?
Norovirus is very infectious and can affect people of all ages. There are many different
strains of norovirus and immunity is short-lived, infection with one strain does not protect
you against infection with another strain.
Noroviruses can survive in the environment and on surfaces including equipment for
several days.
The virus is easily transmitted from one person to another. It can be spread through
contact with an infected person; by eating/ drinking contaminated food or water or by
contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
What are the symptoms of norovirus infection?
Common symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and/or frequent, watery,
non-bloody bowel motions (diarrhoea). Some people may experience slight fever,
headache and painful limbs. Symptoms usually begin about 12-48 hours after the
person has been infected. Although this is an unpleasant illness most people make a full
recovery within 2-3 days.
Why does norovirus cause outbreaks?
Because Norovirus is so infectious, it can spread very quickly. Outbreaks usually occur
in places where lots of people are in close contact with each other for long periods, such
as hospitals, schools, nursing homes and hotels/ cruise ships.
How long do people remain infectious?
People remain infectious until about 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
Who can get norovirus infection?
Anyone of any age can become infected with this virus including staff, patients and visitors.
Issued: November 2014
Written by: HRCH Infection Prevention and Control Team
Review date: November 2016
Version: 3.0
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for norovirus; the illness is usually allowed to run its course.
Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics because it is a viral (not a bacterial) infection.
Drinking plenty of fluids to replace those lost through sickness and diarrhoea, eating light plain
foods as tolerated and rest are advised.
The young and elderly are more at risk of becoming dehydrated. It's therefore very important that
you seek medical attention immediately if you think your child or an elderly relative is becoming
dehydrated.
What can we do to help prevent the spread of norovirus?
When there are high levels of norovirus in the community, it is very difficult to prevent patients, staff
and visitors bringing the infection into hospital. However, some simple measures outlined below will
help to reduce the chance of the infection spreading:

Thorough and frequent hand washing using liquid soap and water, not alcohol hand rub
(which is not fully effective against this infection), is key in preventing the spread of infection.
Hands must be washed after visiting the toilet, before eating and whenever they feel ‘grubby’
or are visibly dirty. If you need assistance with hand washing, the nursing staff will be happy
to help and can also provide hand cleansing wipes if these are preferred.

Norovirus can survive on surfaces and equipment for several days so it is very important
surfaces or objects that could be contaminated are thoroughly and frequently cleaned,
particularly the toilet and flush handle.

Wash fruits and vegetables properly before eating and do not prepare food for others if you
think you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting until at least 48 hours after your last episode.

Please do not visit patients in hospital or attend A&E, a Walk-in Centre or your GP Practice
if you or a member of your household has had diarrhoea and /or vomiting within the past 48
hours. If you have a hospital appointment, telephone the hospital with information about your
current condition.
How will you be cared for in Teddington Memorial Hospital?
Isolation

Ideally you will be moved into a single room with your own toilet facilities. This is to help
prevent the spread of infection to other patients.

If a single room is not available you will be nursed in your bay, the bay will be closed to new
admissions and will be treated as an isolation area.
Issued: November 2014
Written by: HRCH Infection Prevention and Control Team
Review date: November 2016
Version: 3.0

You may be asked to provide a stool sample for testing.

All staff will wash their hands when entering and leaving your room/ bay and will wear gloves
and an apron when caring for you. It is usually not necessary for your visitors to wear gloves
and an apron unless they are helping to provide hands on care, such as washing and
dressing. The nursing staff will advise if this is necessary.
Environmental Cleaning

Rooms/ bays will be cleaned and disinfected at least daily using a chlorine-containing
cleaning solution (bleach) to remove the infection from the environment.

Nursing staff will clean and disinfect spillages of diarrhoea or vomit promptly.
Visitors

You can have visitors, but it is advisable that children, people who are already ill and the
elderly do not visit you whilst you are symptomatic because they are more susceptible to
infection.

Visitors should only have contact with you and not socialise with other patients, walk around
the ward or visit the other ward.

Visitors must wash their hands with soap and water on entering and before leaving the room
or bay that you are in.

Your visitors must not eat or drink whilst on the ward and should not sit on your bed.

Visitors should not use the patient toilets. Staff will be happy to direct them to the public
toilets.

If visitors have been ill with diarrhoea and/or vomiting, they should not visit you until 48
hours after the last episode of diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
‘It's ok to ask’
If you have any concerns please speak to the nursing staff or the Inpatient Matron.
If you are not sure if a member of staff has cleaned their hands before they commence an
examination/ treatment or any type of personal care, please ask them!
Making a comment, suggestion or complaint
If you wish to make a comment, suggestion or complaint, please contact the Patient Experience
Officer at Thames House,180 High Street, Teddington
TW11 8HU, Telephone: 0800 953 0363.
Issued: November 2014
Written by: HRCH Infection Prevention and Control Team
Review date: November 2016
Version: 3.0
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) provide free, informal, confidential help and advice
for service users, carers and their families. You can contact the PALS officer on 0800 953 0363 or
[email protected]
Translation services
Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust has access to interpreters who can
speak other languages. This leaflet can be made available in large print, Braille or on audiotape
and a translation service is available. Please contact the PALS team for further information.
Issued: November 2014
Written by: HRCH Infection Prevention and Control Team
Review date: November 2016
Version: 3.0