Norovirus is circulating in one part of the country and people with symptoms have been warned not to stay away from health facilities.
Scots in a certain area have been warned to avoid visiting hospitals due to a norovirus outbreak
A norovirus warning has been issued by the NHS across an area of Scotland, and people have been warned not to visit hospitals if they are experiencing any symptoms of the nasty vomiting bug. Norovirus has ravaged the UK this year, with some people even having reported having the virus twice.
According to the NHS, norovirus symptoms typically include a sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhoea, along with possible fever, headache, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually appear within 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last from one to three days.
Most people make a full recovery from the bug within a couple of days, however infection can be more serious for the very young and elderly. But a surge of the virus in the Scottish Borders has prompted the alert from health officials.
Norovirus spreads through having close contact with someone with the vomiting bug, by touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth, by eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus, or by consuming unclean water or infected food.
The current warning was issued by NHS Borders on Facebook, and read: “*Norovirus Alert*
Scots in the Borders have been warned to steer clear of Borders General Hospital if they’re experiencing symptoms
“Norovirus is circulating in the community with confirmed and suspected cases in the BGH [Borders General Hospital]. To keep our patients and staff safe please DO NOT visit our hospitals if you have symptoms of diarrhoea and /or vomiting.
Thank you for your co-operation.”
In the meantime, the NHS website shares some things you can do to stop the spread of norovirus.
These include:
- wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet or changing nappies (alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus)
- wash your hands with soap and water before preparing, serving or eating food
- wash clothes and bedding that has poo or vomit on it on a 60C wash and separately from other laundry
- clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps and bathroom door handles
- avoid contact with others as much as possible
They also share things you shouldn’t do when you’ve had norovirus in order to prevent it spreading further.
These include:
- do not go to school, nursery or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for two days
- do not visit others in hospitals or places like care homes until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for two days
While most people will recover from norovirus in a few days, it can be severe for older people or children.
Norovirus is spreading around an area of Scotland, the NHS has warned(Image: Getty Images)
The NHS website shares some circumstances in which you should call 999 or go to A&E.
You should call 99 or go to A&E if you or your child:
- vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
- have green vomit (adults)
- have yellow-green or green vomit (children)
- may have swallowed something poisonous
- have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
- have a sudden, severe headache
- have a sudden, severe tummy ache
- have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- are having severe difficulty breathing, or taking lots of quick, short breaths
- are confused or not responding as usual
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