Medical Matters: Dr Kate Lissett on the signs and symptoms of norovirus

Dr Kate Lissett, Chief Medical Officer at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, talks about the signs and symptoms of norovirus and the impact it has on hospital services.

It is common to see an increase in winter bugs and infections this time of year. Viruses spread more easily in the winter months as the cold weather reduces the immune response in our nose and makes us more susceptible. 

In addition, viruses survive better in cold conditions, and we spend more time with people indoors where it is easier for them to spread from person to person.

We are currently seeing many cases of norovirus in our hospitals and out in the community. Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. 

The main symptoms of norovirus are feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. You may also have a high temperature, headache and aching arms and legs. The symptoms start suddenly within one to two days of being infected and can be very unpleasant, but usually go away in a couple of days.

It can be spread by being in close contact with someone who has norovirus, touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth, or eating food prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.

In our hospitals, norovirus can have a big impact on the recovery of people in our care, who are often already very poorly.

Norovirus cases also impact our services and the care we provide. We have infection control policies and procedures in place for infections such as COVID-19, flu and norovirus, which means that we may have to close wards when these are present. This can reduce the number of available beds as well as affecting our visiting policies for the loved ones of people in our care. 

More cases can also result in our staff becoming unwell and having to take time off work while they recover.

How you can treat and stop the spread of norovirus

If you have norovirus symptoms, you can treat yourself at home by resting and drinking water to avoid dehydration. Your symptoms should go away within 48 hours, but you should call your GP or 111 for advice if your symptoms last longer or worsen.

Washing your hands regularly is the best way to stop norovirus spreading. Its important to remember that alcohol hand gels don’t kill norovirus. 

If you are ill, avoid cooking and helping prepare meals for others until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped, as norovirus can be spread when food is handled by symptomatic people or infected individuals.

How you can help us

Please help us protect and care for our vulnerable patients and our staff by not coming to our hospitals if you have symptoms of flu, COVID-19 or norovirus.

If you have had norovirus symptoms, please don’t visit until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped as you could still be infectious.

We know that it’s difficult for families to not visit a loved one when they’re in hospital, but please help us protect them by not visiting if you’re unwell. It is in their best interest to avoid catching the virus.

If you have an appointment scheduled but have symptoms, please contact the number on top of your appointment letter so that our teams can reschedule this for you. 

Norovirus can have a much greater impact on those in our care who are already poorly, so we want to keep them as healthy as we possibly can. By avoiding our healthcare settings while you have norovirus, you are also helping to keep our staff healthy and our hospital wards open.

To find out more about norovirus and how to treat it at home, visit www.nhs.uk, and if you are worried about someone with norovirus symptoms, please ring 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk