There’s no virus like Norovirus, as the show tune didn’t go. It’s the bug that prowls around hospital corridors, preying on the sick to make them sicker – and it can send medical institutions into disarray.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway, for instance, was recently forced to close one of its wards from visitors after an outbreak of the virus commonly known as the winter vomiting bug.
Moreover, the contagion can infect anyone, old or young, with equal severity. And with no known cure, the only recovery strategy is to play the waiting game.
According to the NHS, there are more than 25 different strains of the Norovirus. And more than 600,000 people in the UK will be clutching their stomachs every year.
But while most people will recover largely unscathed, those already suffering in hospital beds will be weakened even further by an outbreak of the contagious disease.
The sickness of summer
While we’ve previously reported on the effects of the virus in winter, people tend to think they’re out of the woods once the sun starts shining. However, now is the time to be even more vigilant – a bug can only be held at bay with constant awareness, especially in a hospital environment.
Hospitals themselves can make the right steps forward by keeping their healthcare waste in check. By knowing where to dispose of bacteria-ridden waste, your hospital will be less likely to fall foul of the dreaded stomach bug.
Using the correct waste facilities is the difference between a healthy facility and a sick one. So make your choices wisely.
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