AIREDALE Hospital bosses are urging people planning to visit patients this Christmas to stay away if they are feeling unwell.
The plea has been issued as part of the fight against the common winter bug norovirus, which can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.
People are asked not to visit if they have had vomiting and/or diarrhoea within the last 48 hours or coughs, colds or flu-like symptoms, or had contact with anyone with the signs.
Rob Dearden, director of nursing at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We know that visitors sometimes feel they must take every opportunity – particularly at Christmas – to visit sick friends or relatives in hospital, even if they are unwell themselves.
"However there is a chance they could pass on illnesses to their loved ones, so we are asking anyone who has had any symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting to not visit hospital until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have gone."
People who do visit are urged to wash their hands with soap and water, as hand gel is ineffective against norovirus, and not to eat or drink on the wards.
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