East London hospitals, including Queen’s in Rom Valley Way, Romford are seeing more cases of norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, and the primary care trust has issued advice to Havering residents as a result.
NHS North East London and the City (NELC) says more cases are being reported than normal for this time of year and is recommending patients stay at home for two to three days if suffering from infectious gastroenteritis with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting.
Washing your hands before eating and after going to the toilet is another tip in beating the bug and people with symptoms shouldn’t prepare food for others.
Hornchuch GP Dr Atul Aggarwal said: “This is an unpleasant illness, but the symptoms will usually pass if you stay at home and rest.
“If you are suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting, please do not go to your GP or your local A&E department. You should stay away from schools and day centres and not visit friends in hospital or care homes as people there are particularly susceptible to picking up the bug.”
Anyone whose symptoms become very severe and persistent, should call their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
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