NOROVIRUS, otherwise known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, is extremely unpleasant. It causes nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. When York Hospital’s medical director Dr Alastair Turnbull was struck down two years ago, he admits he felt ‘absolutely miserable’.

The good news is that most otherwise fit and healthy people should be able to shrug the virus off after two or three days. Plenty of rest and plenty of fluid should be all you need.

If you’re already ill, elderly or otherwise vulnerable, it could be a different story, however. Then norovirus can be really quite serious.

That is why health bosses are so desperate to prevent outbreaks of the virus in local hospitals and care homes such as that which led to five wards being closed at York Hospital last winter.

The virus is extremely infectious, so spreads very quickly. Once it gets into a hospital, staff have no choice but to close bays or wards to isolate the infection and prevent more already ill patients getting the bug. That can lead to operations being cancelled. Worse, if patients are already very ill, the virus may be a contributory factor in their death.

The advice this winter therefore is that, if you’re feeling unwell – and particularly if you’re suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea – please don’t visit sick or elderly relatives in hospitals or care homes. If you’ve had norovirus, you will remain infectious for two days after you feel better – so wait at least 48 hours after recovery before making a visit, Dr Turnbull says.

It may be inconvenient, but coupled with washing your hands regularly, it is the best way to stop this nasty winter bug from spreading.