Norovirus

Norovirus

1. Modes of Transmission

   • Indirect
   • Direct
   • Faecal-oral
   • Vomiting

2. Clinical Features

   • Stomach Cramps
   • Naesea
   • Fever
   • Vomiting
   • Diarrhoea
   • Symptoms can last from 1 - 3 days
     • Symptoms can appear within 12 hours of exposure
     • Infection confers up to 14 weeks immunity

3. Treatment

   • Analgesia
     • (Pain Medication)
   • Rehydration

4. Outbreak Management

   • Handwashing and PPE
     • Contact Occupational Health
       • Contact Infection Control Team Immediately
   • Close the ward/bay
   • Consider the use of anti-emetics
     • Avoid transferring patients unless clinical emergency
     • Send stool samples if advised
   • Exclude non-essential personnel from ward
     • Document everything
     • Single room isolation preferable
   • Restrict staff movement
     • Discuss visitor limitations
   • Important Information
     • Staff working on affected area cannot work in unaffected area for 48 hours
       • Commodes, toilets must be religiously cleaned after use
       • Ward not to be opened until 72 hours after the onset of the last new case and 48 hours after the resolution of vomiting and diarrhoea.
     • Let patients, media and the public know
     • Increase cleaning frequency
     • Criteria for suspecting a norovirus outbreak:
       • Outbreaks can be diagnosed on clinical grounds. Explosive in onset.
       • Vomiting (often projectile) in > 50% of care
       • Duration of illness 12 - 60 hours
       • What happens if I get ill?
         • Stay at home and drink plenty
         • Take a light diet if you feel well enough
         • You must stay off work while you are unwell and until you have had 48 hours with no symptoms
         • The period that you are unwell will count as sick leave but the rest will be recorded as study leave
         • In addition to reporting in sick, let your personal tutor know so that s/he can arrange study leave for you. (Let placement know and personal tutor)