Norovirus and handwashing guide

What is Norovirus?

Norovirus is also known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’. It is a virus that causes vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes other symptoms. However, norovirus can affect people at any time of the year. The symptoms of infection can be unpleasant, but most people recover within two days. However, this virus can be dangerous for people with a weaker immune system.

How does Norovirus spread?

Norovirus spreads through close contact with an infected person, touching contaminated services or objects, and consuming contaminated food or water. It is highly contagious and can spread through particles from an infected persons faeces or vomit.  The virus can also be inhaled through the mouth and nose.

How to avoid spreading Norovirus?

It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that norovirus doesn’t spread to others.

Here are some ideas about how you can help:

• Avoid sharing personal items with other patients, especially if they suffer from vomiting or diarrhoea
• If the bathrooms or the area around your bedside are dirty, ask that they are cleaned. Do not attempt to do this yourself
• If you see anyone with vomiting or diarrhoea, inform a member of staff
• Do not attempt to clear up vomit or diarrhoea yourself, ask a member of staff to do this
• Do not be afraid to ask staff if they have cleaned both their hands and the equipment they are going to use
• Ask your visitors not to visit you for 48 hours after they have had vomiting or diarrhoea
• Washing your hands whenever possible is the best thing you can do to avoid catching norovirus and spreading it to others.

Control measures:

• Increased cleaning
• Restricting access to some facilities
• Enhanced hand hygiene
• Ask visitors not to visit if they have symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting
• You may be asked to isolate in your own room for 48 hours from your last symptom of diarrhoea or vomiting
• Personal protective equipment (PPE, for example, gloves, aprons and face visors) is essential for staff and carers when giving direct care or cleaning the environment when a patient has symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting
• If you are due to be transferred to another ward this may be postponed until 48 hours after your symptoms have resolved
• Patients should avoid mixing with symptomatic service users.

Hand hygiene

Remember these five important points in time for cleaning your hands:

• When you enter or leave your ward or your roo
• Before and after you touch your wounds, mouth, nose or any tubes entering your body
• After using the toilet, bedpan or commode
• Before you eat, drink or take your medications
• After you have touched surfaces which are touched by many people (for example, door handles).

You should spend about 60 seconds cleaning your hands each time.

Alcohol hand rub

Alcohol hand rub may be great for cleaning your hands quickly, but it is not very good against norovirus. Avoid using alcohol hand rub if your hands are visibly dirty, if you have vomiting or diarrhoea or if you know norovirus is present in your ward.

Wash your hands with soap and water

• Try to use soap and water whenever possible
• Wet your hands under warm running water
• Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces
• Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces
• Rinse thoroughly under warm running water
• Dry thoroughly using a paper towel.

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and LiaisonService (PALS) and Complaints Team.

Telephone: 0151 471 2377 Freephone: 0800 328 2941 Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk