Fight infections this winter and be a responsible visitor

As the weather begins to feel more wintery, respiratory and gastrointestinal viral illnesses are naturally expected to increase.

With social distancing and mask wearing requirements no longer in place, the public is at greater risk of contracting common winter illnesses.

If you are feeling unwell with any new respiratory symptoms, even if you have tested negative for Covid-19, please avoid visiting our hospitals. This will help to protect our vulnerable patients already unwell, as well as our staff caring for these patients.

"We have seen much less influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus circulating over the last two years due to social distancing, mask wearing and how careful we were around cleaning items touched by lots of people," said Paul Bolton, head of infection prevention and control and University Hospitals Dorset. 

“Now these measures have been reduced, there is a higher risk of these illnesses spreading amongst our population.”

Paul recommends taking advantage of vaccinations against flu and Covid-19 if they are offered, as well as maintaining good hand hygiene.

Please avoid the hospital if you have any symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped. You can find further guidance here.