Health unit offers advice to avoid gastroenteritis
The North Coast Public Health Unit is advising Ballina Shire residents of preventive measures to help guard against the viral gastroenteritis that has been reported in a number of locations along the North Coast in recent weeks.
“The virus is easily spread from person to person and special attention to thorough washing of hands with soap and running water is vital to prevent further spread,” advised North Coast Public Health Director, Paul Corben.
“In particular, hands should be washed after going to the toilet, changing nappies and before eating and preparing food.”
Mr Corben explained that viral gastroenteritis is a common infection of the stomach and intestines that results in vomiting and diarrhoea.
Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious and is spread by the vomit or faeces of an infected person in various ways, such as:
• Person-to-person contact, for example shaking hands with someone who has been sick and has the virus on their hands
• Contaminated objects
• Contaminated food or drink
• There may also be the possibility of infection being spread through aerosol particles when people vomit.
The main symptoms are vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Other symptoms may include nausea, fever, abdominal pain, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms can take between one and three days to develop and usually last between one and two days, sometimes longer.
There is no specific treatment for viral gastroenteritis except rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Most people will recover without complications. However, viral gastroenteritis can be serious for those who may have difficulty replacing fluids and salts lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.
People with vomiting or diarrhoea should:
Rest at home and not attend work or school while sick
Not visit hospitals or other health care facilities, including aged care homes, until you have fully recovered
Not attend childcare for 24 hours after symptoms are resolved
Not prepare food for others or care for patients, children, or the elderly. These precautions should continue until 48 hours after diarrhoea or vomiting ceases. This includes people who prepare food in the home or working in the food industry
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and running water after using the toilet
Drink plenty of clear fluids, e.g. juice or soft drink diluted 1 part to 4 parts water to prevent dehydration. Avoid undiluted fruit juice and soft drinks as they may increase dehydration and diarrhoea. Rehydration drinks that replace fluids lost are available from chemists. Intravenous fluids may be needed in severe cases of dehydration.
Anyone caring for people with gastroenteritis should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and running water after any contact with the sick person.
Further information is available agt the NSW Health website. Scroll down to Gastroenteritis (viral) or contact your local public health unit as follows:
Port Macquarie – (02) 6588 2750
Lismore – (02) 6620 7500.
