News

Norovirus, also called the ‘winter vomiting bug’, is circulating in the Western Isles, and has already had a negative impact on Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, with confirmed cases resulting in the closure of Medical Ward 2. 

Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about two days.  

However, if it spreads across hospitals or care homes, it can be dangerous for those who are most vulnerable and can also cause significant service disruption.  

The main symptoms of norovirus are: 

• feeling sick (nausea) 
• diarrhoea 
• being sick (vomiting) 

Some people also have a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs. 

The symptoms start suddenly within one to two days of being infected and typically last for up to two or three days. There’s no treatment for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. 

NHS Western Isles Medical Director, Dr Frank McAuley, said: “If you have norovirus, you can usually treat yourself or your child at home. The most important thing is to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. You will usually start to feel better in two to three days. It’s important that you stay off school, nursery or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 48 hours – as this is when you are most infectious. It’s also very important that you do not visit hospitals or care homes during that infectious period.” 

Norovirus can spread very easily and you can catch norovirus from: 

• close contact with someone with norovirus 
• touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth 
• eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus 

You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing and your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it. 

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus. 

Maintain basic hygiene and cleaning to help stop the spread of norovirus by: 

• disinfecting any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated, using a bleach-based household cleaner. 
• washing any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash (60°C) to ensure the virus is killed. 
• not sharing towels and flannels 
• flushing any poo or vomit in the toilet and cleaning the surrounding area with a bleach-based household cleaner 
• avoiding eating raw, unwashed food 
• only eating oysters from a reliable source as they can carry norovirus 

Dr McAuley advised: “To help ease your own or your child’s symptoms, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea – as well as water, adults could also try fruit juice and soup. 

“Avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children as it can make their diarrhoea worse. Babies should continue to feed as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds. You can also take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains, get plenty of rest, and use special rehydration drinks, available from community pharmacies if you have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or dark urine. 

“Babies and young children, especially under a year old, have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated, so keep a close eye on their symptoms and contact 111 for advice if you have concerns.” 

If you have symptoms that you are concerned about, you should phone your GP or NHS24 on 111 for advice – please do not attend your GP Practice without contacting the surgery if you have symptoms.