Visitors to Walsall Manor Hospital are being reminded how important it is to stay away if they have sickness and diarrhoea symptoms to avoid passing on the contagious norovirus infection.

Director of Nursing at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Karen Dunderdale said: “We’re almost into winter and we want to make sure our patients and their families and carers are protected from norovirus, often referred to as the winter vomiting bug.

“It is an extremely contagious infection that is very easily spread from person to person especially in places where groups of people are together for periods of time or where there are people more susceptible to picking up bugs due to being ill or weak or elderly, such as in care home and hospital environments.

“We are asking anyone who has sickness and diarrhoea, or has recently experienced these symptoms, to keep away from the hospital. People can actually infect others up to three days after their own symptoms have stopped.

“The most effective precaution against norovirus is to wash hands regularly with soap and water, and not just rely on hand gel. Again, we’re asking visitors to make sure they wash their hands as they arrive and leave the hospital. As well as our patients we also want to protect our own staff from norovirus. This is a busy time of year and I’m sure none is us wants to miss out on festive fun because of being ill.”

The symptoms of norovirus last around two days and the only treatment required is to drink plenty of fluid to stay hydrated.  Anyone worried about symptoms, should contact their Pharmacy, GP or NHS 111 helpline by telephone. They should not visit their GP or Emergency Department.