The cold conditions associated with this time of year often bring with increased health problems for many people.

Icy conditions can lead to injury caused by slips and falls while cold weather can lower your body temperature increasing the risk of health problems. This can be dangerous if you are elderly or have a lower immunity caused by a disease or treatment.

Viral infections are a major cause of health problems especially in the winter months. They are responsible for many infections including colds, coughs, ‘flu and winter vomiting disease. People spend more of their time indoors at this time of the year so once one person has a virus, there's very little to stop it spreading.

This has implications for any buildings where a lot of people can be found especially schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

The effect of an infection on a hospital can be quite dramatic. In a short space of time, large numbers of patients, visitors and staff can be affected which can disturb the normal working of the hospital and cause distress to those infected and their friends and families.


Together we can fight infection

The Golden Jubilee Gardens at Addenbrooke's
The Golden Jubilee Gardens at Addenbrooke's

Addenbrooke's front entrance under snow
Addenbrooke's front entrance

Winter Vomiting

One particular infection is known as ‘winter vomiting’ or gastroenteritis It is caused by an in virus called norovirus. Outbreaks are common in the UK especially in the colder winter months.
People who have a winter vomiting infection have sickness and diarrhoea for about two to three days. They might also have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs. Although it can be unpleasant for the person infected, the illness is usually mild and will get better on its own without any antibiotics.

Please visit click here for more information about winter vomiting (norovirus) on this website


What you can do to help…

Stay away! We always ask people who have an infection to 'leave it at home' - delaying coming into hospital until they are better.

Anyone, including visitors, who is unwell or suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting should not visit the hospital (including the food areas) until they have been free from symptoms for 48 hours.

attention sign

Frequently and thoroughly washing your hands will also help you avoid flu and other infections.
click here for more about infection control.

If you do have a cough, cold or flu, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others:

• cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze,
using a tissue whenever possible

• throw used tissues away promptly in the nearest bin

• wash your hands with soap and water after coughing or sneezing

 

Have a 'flu jab:
As well as being an extremely unpleasant experience, 'flu can be a serious health hazard. You should talk to your GP about having a
flu jab especially if you:

• are aged 65 years or over

• have serious heart disease, serious renal disease, diabetes or serious respiratory disease (including asthma)

• have lowered immunity caused by a disease or medical treatment.

For further 'flu information from NHS Direct please click here



Self-care:
You can prepare for winter by keeping a range of over-the-counter medicines at home. A well stocked medicine chest will help you with many common illnesses and minor ailments; for example, colds, coughs, sore throats,
If symptoms persist or worsen you should contact NHS Direct or your GP.

Wrap up warm! Wearing the right kind of clothes can help keep you much warmer and healthier.
For information from the NHS Keep Warm, Keep Well campaign, please click here (PDF)

 


Check the weather:
For local weather information see BBC Cambridgeshire website

Last updated: 11 December 2006