Originator: Infection Control TeamDate: December 2011

Version: 1Date for Review: December 2014DGOH Ref No: DGOH/PIL/00564

Viral Gastroenteritis (includingNorovirus)Infection ControlPatient Information Leaflet

What is viral gastroenteritis?

Viral gastroenteritis is caused by a virus known as the norovirus. Itis a common infection, particularly in winter months and can causeoutbreaks in hospitals, nursing and residential homes and schools.The main symptoms are vomiting, with or without diarrhoea. Itusually lasts 2-3 days although it can last longer.

What is the treatment?

Treatment is not usually necessary as the body expels the virusitself through the vomiting and diarrhoea. If you are able to drinkfluids, it is important that you do so in order to replace the fluidsthat you lose.

How does it spread?

Viral gastroenteritis is spread from hand to mouth. Vomiting causesvirus particles to spread. If the virus is in the environment, it can bepicked up on your hands and either ingested yourself or passed onto someone else. You may not develop symptoms until 15-48 hoursafter ingesting the virus, and you will remain infectious until 48hours after your last bout of vomiting or diarrhoea.

How can I prevent it?

The only way to prevent yourself from acquiring the virus is to washyour hands before you eat or drink anything. Patients are advisedto wash their hands after visiting the toilet (ward staff can provide

cleansing wipes for those patients unable to use the washbasin).Visitors are advised to cleanse their hands before leaving the wardusing soap and water followed by the hand rub provided.

What should i do with soiled linen?

Soiled linen should be washed on its own at the hottesttemperature the items will allow. Tumble drying (where appropriate)can help to kill most bugs. You will be given the laundry in a plasticbag and offered some gloves to handle it with, or it may have beenplaced in a special bag that can go directly into the washingmachine (instructions will be included). Always wash your handsafter handling soiled linen.

What is the hospital doing about it?

Staff are adhering to a number of infection control precautions,which include the wearing of gloves and aprons and regular handcleansing. Extra cleaning is being carried out within the hospital inorder to reduce the amount of virus particles in the environment.Wards that are affected will have visiting restricted to prevent thespread to other areas. Information on this will be displayed at theentrance to wards and you are advised to telephone the ward tocheck on visiting times.

For further information please speak to a member of the infectionControl Team on Tel 01384 244174. Alternatively you can visitwww.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or www.hpa.org.uk.

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