Rise in norovirus cases could put pressure on hospitals

Norovirus is a common cause of infectious gastroenteritis that causes diarrhoea and vomiting

A surge in cases of Norovirus could put a strain on hospitals ahead of what is expected to be a "really challenging" season for the NHS in Scotland.

Commonly know as the "winter vomiting bug", it also causes diarrhoea.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland said the virus increases the risk of staff sickness and absences, stretching resources at hospitals.

Figures from Public Health Scotland (PHS) show reported cases are at their highest rate in eight years.

Last week, 1,474 people in Scotland were confirmed to have the virus, which is 60% higher than the same time last year.

• Ex-NHS boss says health service is unsustainable

• Winter death toll worst in more than 30 years

But PHS said reported cases represented only a small proportion of the true incidence as most cases would not require medical attention.

Most people with the virus make a full recovery, however infection can be more serious for the very young and the elderly.

It can occur at any time in the year but is most common during the winter months.

The virus is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals and outbreaks can occur in situations where people are in close contact such as care homes, schools and hospitals.

'Bed shortfall'

Dr JP Loughrey, vice president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland said it could put a strain on an "already fragile and pressured emergency care system".

"At this time of year, viruses, infections, such as norovirus, flu and Covid all put our perilous situation under even more pressure," he said.

"These viruses increase the risk of staff sickness and absences, stretching staff further. And risk closed wards, exacerbating the shortfall in beds."

Dr Loughrey added that it could put the most vulnerable patients at risk of hospital-acquired infection.

Norovirus symptoms

The main symptoms of norovirus according to the NHS are:

• feeling sick (nausea)

• diarrhoea

• being sick (vomiting)

You may also have:

• a high temperature

• a headache

• aching arms and legs

'Challenging winter'

PHS has recorded 1,417 laboratory reports of norovirus, which compares with 922 for the same period last year. Between 2015 to 2019, the average number was 1,144.

It said hand hygiene was a very important preventive measure and said to use soap and water for hand washing as alcohol-based hand rub may be ineffective for norovirus.

The data was released after Health Secretary Michael Matheson warned people to prepare for any winter ailments.

"Winter is going to be a really challenging time, I've been very clear about that for a number of months now," he said at the launch of NHS 24's annual winter preparedness campaign on Wednesday.

He said the Scottish government had announced a number of funding packages to help ease pressure on the NHS, including £12m for "hospital at home" schemes and £50m for the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Scotland's winter death toll last year was the highest for more than 30 years.

Mr Matheson said a lack of funding from the UK government is having an impact on the devolved health service.

"The challenges we have in health service in terms of finances is a reflection of the wider austerity that we're experiencing from UK economic policy," he added.

Experts have warned that norovirus is also going around in England.