February 10, 2017 8.40 am This story is over 84 months old

Sickness bug closes one ward at Scunthorpe Hospital

One ward has been closed at Scunthorpe General Hospital due to an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting. Ward 17 fully closed to new admissions and transfers on Friday, February 10. Patients from the ward will not be discharged to nursing or residential homes while they remain an infection risk. The infection prevention and control team…

One ward has been closed at Scunthorpe General Hospital due to an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Ward 17 fully closed to new admissions and transfers on Friday, February 10.

Patients from the ward will not be discharged to nursing or residential homes while they remain an infection risk.

The infection prevention and control team are now reviewing the situation and regular and frequent disinfection is being carried out on the ward to contain the outbreak.

Visitors who have been suffering from diarrhoea and/or vomiting are urged not to come to the hospital until they have been symptom free for 48 hours, as they will be infectious to others during this period.

There is no specific treatment, other than rehydration for the illness, which is usually mild and shouldn’t last more than a couple of days.

If you have symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting you should follow this advice:

  • Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
  • Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains
  • If you feel like eating, eat foods that are easy to digest
  • Stay at home
  • Contact your GP to seek advice if your symptoms last longer than a few days or if you already have a serious illness

Dr Peter Cowling, trust consultant microbiologist, said: “This type of illness does come into the hospital from time to time, as in other hospitals across the country, and that is why we have a robust infection control policy in place to deal with such eventualities.

“This illness lasts about 24 hours and, although unpleasant, very rarely causes serious medical problems.”