As we are experiencing a run of tummy bugs at school at the moment we thought it would be prudent to share the following information:

A nasty tummy bug has reared its ugly head in Canterbury and Christchurch Hospital personnel are urging infected people to seek help from their GPs rather than fronting up at hospital emergency departments if they are suffering from nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Norovirus has closed off two wards at The Princess Margaret Hospital and one at Christchurch Hospital.

The symptoms are severe vomiting and/or diarrhoea, but it is generally a short-lived illness from which the majority of people will recover in 12 to 60 hours without treatment other than rest and taking plenty of drinks to replace lost liquids.

The virus spreads extremely easily and it only takes 1 to 10 viral particles to set off an infection. It is also very hardy and can survive for up to 48 hours on hard surfaces. 

The advice for people with symptoms is:

• Stay away from work or school until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

• Do not handle or prepare food for other people until you have been symptom free for a minimum period of 48 hours.

• Do not visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes to avoid introducing the infection to environments where it could spread easily and put vulnerable people at greater risk.

• Do not attend social gatherings until you have been free of all symptoms for at least 48 hours.

• Do not visit your GP surgery or local After Hours. You will recover naturally without treatment, but it is important to rest and take plenty of drinks to replace lost fluids.

• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly after toilet visits and before eating.

• Do not share towels with others. If possible, use paper towels after hand-washing and dispose of them immediately.

• Make sure that any surface that is contaminated by vomit or faeces is promptly and thoroughly disinfected after an episode of illness.

• If your symptoms persist or appear to be worsening, phone your family doctor or Healthline for advice.

• If you have bloody diarrhea (blood in your stools), phone your doctor or Healthline urgently for advice. Do not delay.