A plea has been issued to stay away from Royal Cornwall Hospital and community hospitals if you are ill with a sickness or diarrhoea bug.
Cases of Norovirus have been reported in hospitals and educational settings across Cornwall. It causes unpleasant symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, a temperature, headache and aching limbs and is highly contagious.
There is no specific treatment and most people make a full recovery within two days. But some, usually the very young or elderly may, become dehydrated and require hospital treatment. Medical advice should be sought if symptoms continue beyond 48 hours. Call the NHS 111 helpline; visit NHS Choices website nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus or your pharmacist.
Norovirus can cause problems in hospitals and care homes if brought in by visitors.
It can lead to cancelled operations, delayed recovery and prevent other patients from being admitted.
Anyone who has, or is recovering from Norovirus, should avoid visiting hospitals or care homes. You should still go to the emergency department if you need emergency medical attention, but please tell staff if you have diarrhoea or sickness symptoms.