Sickness bug closes hospital ward

Jan 5 2010 by Gavin McInally, Paisley Daily Express

A WARD at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley has been closed following an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

The Paisley Daily Express can reveal that Ward 3 has been closed to new admissions since Tuesday, December 29, after patients there were struck down with diarrhoea and vomiting.

Infection control measures are in place and families visiting relatives in the ward are being warned to take steps to avoid catching the troublesome bug.

One elderly man told the Express how he found out about the outbreak while visiting a friend in Ward 3.

The pensioner, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s worrying that, even with all the precautionary measures taken to stop the spread of infections, you still get outbreaks like this.

“I was told to use the cleansing gel to wash my hands on the way in and out of the ward and anyone visiting who showed signs of having sickness and diarrhoea was asked not to come to the hospital.

“Unfortunately, after the visit, a couple of family members did come down with the bug, so it must be very contagious.”

The winter vomiting bug belongs to a group of viruses called Norovirus.

It is dubbed the winter vomiting virus as it is more likely to cause illness when temperatures drop – but the infection can strike all-year round.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps are the most common symptoms.

The illness is short-lived and, normally, sufferers recover within 24 to 48 hours.

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said nursing staff at the RAH are continuing to monitor the health of patients in Ward 3.

She added: “Although the ward isn’t taking in new admissions, visitors are still being allowed access and we have been reiterating the importance of cleaning hands as they arrive and again as they leave to prevent the spread of the infection.

“We would always ask anyone who is showing signs of vomiting and diarrhoea to stay away from the hospital.”

She added: “Following the spread of the infection, there is currently one patient still showing symptoms.

“If that case clears up without any further spread, the ward would usually be open in the next day or two.”