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Original poster

Visiting someone in hospital who has norovirus!

19 replies

JKCR2017 · 09/01/2018 17:12

I know that you aren’t allowed to visit someone in hospital if you have norovirus yourself, that’s common sense. But what are the rules if you are visiting someone in hospital with the illness?

My elderly grandmother has been hospitalised with it as it’s made her extremely poorly and she’s been vomiting blood. My mum, my Grandad etc have all been down there but I’ve stayed away as I have two lo’s and an extremely busy week and I can’t afford to get ill.

I am at the hospital with DD tomorrow and thinking I should maybe pop in to see her, I am very close to my Granny, but I will have DD (3) with me. So thinking I should avoid? My app is in the morning so assume visitin hours will be in the afternoon anyway?

Advice?

OP posts:

meltingsugar · 09/01/2018 17:13

My Trust closes the whole ward if there is a Noro case and nobody except staff are allowed in and out, and it's nursing staff no meetings or managers allowed either.

ElspethFlashman · 09/01/2018 17:14

Avoid. Im a nurse and it always shocks me when people being their small kids into people in isolation. Happens all the time but it's such poor judgement.

Rumpledfaceskin · 09/01/2018 17:14

I’d avoid if you have lo’s. It could make them really ill too!

littlecabbage · 09/01/2018 17:15

If just you, and you are very strict with your hand hygiene, that's one thing, but I definitely wouldn't take a 3 year old along. Doubt she'd be allowed in anyway.

Princessdebthe1st · 09/01/2018 17:16

Dear OP, You can visit but your DD won't be allowed to. Your grandmother will be in isolation and you will need to wear gloves and an apron and wash your hands before and after seeing her. Definitely don't take your DD to the ward as there will be no one to watch her when you visit your grandmother. Hope she is feeling better soon.

Oakcrescent4 · 09/01/2018 17:18

Are the hospital sure it is norovirus? It seems strange that there aren’t any visitor restrictions if it’s been confirmed!

GingerbreadMa · 09/01/2018 17:19

Well they cant STOP you, but I wouldnt. 3 year olds touch things. She'll also be feeling rough and wiped out and even if she loves your lo she might not be up to having an energetic preschooler there.

Also, you cant visit someone with noro and then attend an appointment elsewhere in the hospital!

Can you not have someone mind lo while you visit alone?

lougle · 09/01/2018 17:20

You won't be allowed to take your 3 year old in (or at least you really shouldn't be allowed, and wouldn't be at my hospital). You can't avoid getting norovirus just by washing your hands, unfortunately. It can be transmitted on the patient's breath, anything they've touched, etc. That's not necessarily a reason not to visit yourself, but if you do, you should go on the understanding that you may well get norovirus.

TheVanguardSix · 09/01/2018 17:21

No way. Wild horses wouldn't drag me near there. See her when she's home, well, and not infectious. Everything you touch near her will have noro on it. That virus loves a surface and it's very hard to kill. I'll bet my life your mum and grandfather will get it. Very sorry for your poor grandmother. It's terribly debilitating. I so wish they could get a vaccine out there!

GingerbreadMa · 09/01/2018 17:21

Are the hospital sure it is norovirus? It seems strange that there aren’t any visitor restrictions if it’s been confirmed!

They can advise people to stay away but cant enforce it. Ward staff cant double up as security/bouncers.

Spudlet · 09/01/2018 17:21

Does she have a bedside phone, and is she well enough to use it?

I wouldn't go, to be honest, I wouldn't want to risk giving it to anyone. But I'd certainly get a message to her or speak on the phone if possible. Perhaps you and your dd could make her a card or draw a picture to leave for her? Ring the ward to see what she can have, you might be able to drop it off tomorrow.

Floralnomad · 09/01/2018 17:23

I am an ex nurse and we would have discouraged you from visiting with children so unless you have someone else with you to look after the 3 yo I wouldn’t go .

harridan50 · 09/01/2018 17:25

They can and will stop you. In cases of confirmed norovirus if their is an outbreak there will be no visiting on the ward.

Penfold007 · 09/01/2018 17:26

My DF's nursing home had a Norovirus situation just after Christmas. They closed the home to all visitors. DF is end of life but we were still 'banned'.
I wouldn't expose my DC or my self to the risk (me in case I spread)

GingerbreadMa · 09/01/2018 17:26

Laminate a drawinb from LO (wipable) and send her in some nice smelling body wash instead of visiting unless she's critically unwell, then get someone to mind LO and go in

GingerbreadMa · 09/01/2018 17:29

They can and will stop you. In cases of confirmed norovirus if their is an outbreak there will be no visiting on the ward.

People still visit closed wards. We tell them not to but dont tackle them to the ground if they walk around us.

Littlechocola · 09/01/2018 17:31

Avoid. I can’t imagine your granny would be pleased if her little great grand child may get poorly. I’m sure she will understand op.
Hope she’s better soon.

Aturkeyisnotjustforchristmas · 09/01/2018 17:33

Do not visit, end of.

Original poster

JKCR2017 · 09/01/2018 20:54

Thanks all. We aren’t visiting! I was just feeling guilty that we would been in the area but not visit (hospital is 25 miles away!) but she understands and said she would rather we stay away, to avoid getting ill. She should be home soon, because the cause of the blood in her vomit has been found! 😊

OP posts:

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