Newsdate: 5 March 2012
Visiting restrictions in place due to the recent outbreak of Norovirus (diarrhoea and vomiting) have now been lifted.
Even though visiting has returned to normal we are asking anybody with diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms, or who have had these symptoms in the last 48 hours, not to visit friends or relatives in hospital. This type of bug can make patients who are already vulnerable, more seriously ill.
Norovirus symptoms can be best treated by staying at home, drinking plenty of fluids and getting some rest. Information from the Public Health Department has been sent to all GPs and local Pharmacists in order to promote self-treatment where appropriate rather than seek admission to hospital. Advice is also available online from NHS Choices http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx and from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.”
Advice on how to treat the illness can be obtained from GPs and local Pharmacists. Hospital treatment is only necessary for people who have become very dehydrated and require intravenous fluids. This is unusual, but can happen in young children and older people.
Gill Harris, Director of Infection Prevention and Control for Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust said, “We are appealing to members of the public to be sensible and avoid attending or visiting our hospitals if they are affected by the symptoms so that we do not have to restrict visiting to our wards again.”