That bunged up time of the year has reared its congested head again.
Your co-workers or employees will disappear from the office for days at a time, dropping like flies in the wake of a flu epidemic. Older relatives will receive jabs to fend off the forces of the winter bug. And the slightest sniffle will be treated with the same level of panic as a full blown assault.
You’ve probably already stocked up on Vitamin C tablets and oranges, but what are doctors saying about viruses?
For the most part, the message this year is – stay away from hospitals.
Doctors in Lincolnshire have advised people NOT to visit hospitals if they’re suffering from sickness or diarrhoea, in an effort to stem flu-like symptoms around hospitals.
What the experts say
Speaking to the Lincolnshire Echo, Cheryl Day, lead matron for infection prevention at the Community Health Trust, said, “Norovirus is highly infectious and easily spread through hand to hand contact, or by touching surfaces which have germs on them.
“The infection usually starts suddenly and the symptoms pass quickly. It can more seriously affect those patients who are already unwell or those who have significant underlying medical conditions.
“If you think you may have the illness it is important to stay away from hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes for at least 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped to avoid spreading it to people who may have underlying health conditions and already be vulnerable.
“We know that sometimes visitors feel they must take every opportunity to visit sick friends or relatives. However, if they themselves have been unwell, they could be putting others at risk. If you’re unsure whether to visit, please feel free to contact the ward nurse before you come into hospital.”
The solution
In addition to this, try to avoid your workplace if you’re feeling peaky. The last thing you want is an outbreak around your workplace.
A hospital with efficient waste management facilities will invariably be more successful at containing the dreaded winter bug. So if you’re interest in what we offer, get in touch.
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