What can visitors do to help?
- Visiting between 6-8pm only, two visitors per patient during these hours and all visitors will be required to wear masks
- Make sure you get your seasonal flu vaccination (if you are eligible).
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water; alcohol hand rubs can be used between washes.
- Make sure you practice good respiratory/cough hygiene; cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and try and catch it with a tissue; bin the tissue immediately and wash your hands straight away.
- Do not leave food open and exposed in patients rooms.
- If you are pregnant, have young children, or have a long term health condition we advise that you do not visit during a flu outbreak for your own safety; please discuss with a member of staff.
- If you think you might have the flu, please do not visit the hospital as you could spread it; you can start visiting again when you have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.
What is influenza?
Influenza (flu) is a viral respiratory illness that can affect many people during the winter months.
Symptoms include a cough (chesty or dry), runny nose, congestion, sore throat, shortness of breath, aching muscles, exhaustion, cold sweats and a fever/high temperature.
Patients are at increased risk of complications including secondary chest infections and pneumonia and may require further admission to an acute hospital for supportive care. In these cases, flu can be life-threatening.
When infected people cough or sneeze, the virus is sprayed into the air and droplets land on nearby surfaces, objects, and equipment. People become infected in the following ways:
- Having close contact with an infected person - getting coughed or sneezed on, or shaking hands.
- Touching contaminated surfaces/objects (e.g door handles, tables, magazines).
- Eating food or drinks that someone who is ill has coughed or sneezed on.
Hospital in-patients are extremely vulnerable because they are often elderly and frail, have underlying health conditions and are living in a closed environment where the virus can spread easily.
What can patients to do help?
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water; alcohol hand rubs can be used between washes.
- Make sure you practice good respiratory/cough hygiene; cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and try and catch it with a tissue; bin the tissue immediately and wash your hands straight away.
- If you are feeling unwell, tell a member of staff immediately.