Norovirus and flu cases are on the rise
Norovirus and flu cases are on the rise our community, and sadly some of our patients and colleagues within the Trust have been affected.
We take the spread and control of infectious viruses seriously and we hope that you support us in keeping our patients, staff and other visitors safe this winter. Some of our wards may be temporarily closed to visitors or will have restrictions in place to help stop the spread of infections at our hospitals.
If you do have any symptoms of flu or norovirus, please do not attend or visit hospital. If you need urgent medical help and you’re unsure what to do, please call NHS 111, or visit 111 Online to get advice about what to do next.
Symptoms of norovirus
If you have norovirus, you may experience the following symptoms. These usually appear quickly, however, most people recover within a few days. Symptoms may include:
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Stomach cramps
- Headaches
- Aching limbs
- A high temperature (fever)
Symptoms of flu
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- a sudden high temperature
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- feeling sick and being sick
Changes to ward visiting
The following wards are closed to visitors, except where patients are receiving end of life care, dementia patients and those who need enhanced care and advocacy from a carer such as patients with intellectual disabilities or autism.
University Hospital Lewisham
- Alder Ward – 020 3192 6396
Preventing norovirus
Good hand hygiene is important in stopping the spread of norovirus. To stop the spread, you should:
- Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water – especially after using the toilet, after contact with someone who is sick and before preparing or eating food. Do not rely on alcohol gels as these do not kill the virus.
- If you are sick with diarrhoea and/or vomiting for at least 48 hours (2 days), refrain from attending work or school.
- Use bleach-based cleaners to disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated.
- Wash contaminated clothing and bedding with detergent at 60°C, use disposable gloves to handle contaminated items.
- Avoid visiting hospitals, care homes or other communal settings during this time.
Preventing flu
We have re-introduced mandatory mask wearing for all patient facing colleagues or colleagues moving through patient facing areas.