Visitors urged 'keep winter illness away'

12 December 2024

Our Trust is asking visitors to help protect patients from highly contagious winter infections by not visiting friends and relatives in hospital, when they have been unwell or in close contact with someone with flu or norovirus.

While viruses are active year-round, winter is a prime time for norovirus, colds, and influenza, commonly known as flu.  These infections are highly contagious, so when they are brought into a hospital environment they can easily spread to staff and vulnerable hospital patients.

Dawn Parkes, Chief Nurse, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust explained: “Cases of winter illnesses, such as norovirus (known as winter vomiting bug) and cold and flu-like illnesses traditionally rise at this time of year.  Norovirus and seasonal flu are both highly contagious and symptoms can be severe, particularly for patients who are elderly, young or already ill.

“It’s really important that people with diarrhoea and vomiting stay away from our hospitals if they have signs or symptoms of either virus and do not visit until they’ve been clear of symptoms for at least 48 hours.  This helps avoid spreading their illness to patients and staff.”

Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK.  It's also called the ‘winter vomiting bug’ because it's more common in winter, although you can catch it at any time of the year.  Norovirus can be very unpleasant, but it usually clears up by itself in a few days.

Thorough effective hand washing is the single most important way of preventing the spread of infection.  Hand sanitiser is not effective against norovirus.

Flu is a common infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes.  It is a major killer of vulnerable people.  People aged 65 and over and people with long-term health conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease, are particularly at risk.  If you have flu, please stay away until you are better.  The virus is highly infectious, and outbreaks can happen quickly.

Dawn added:  “We always see an increase in these types of illnesses in the winter, but in most cases, it can be managed safely and effectively at home.  If you’re feeling ill my advice is to stay at home, keep warm and drink lots of fluids.  If symptoms persist (more than 48 hours), the advice is to phone your GP or NHS 111.” 

For more advice visit www.nhs.uk.