Ref. 75666-07TWO wards at Swindon's Great Western Hospital have been closed after patients were struck down by a highly infectious virus.

Viral gastroenteritis also known as Winter Vomiting Disease has spread through the Saturn ward for respiratory and haematology patients and the Neptune ward for mixed aged adults.

Twenty four patients and eight members of staff have caught the bug.

As a result no new patients are being admitted to the two wards, patients who are affected by the illness are being isolated and visitors are being urged not to come in if they have any symptoms.

The disease causes vomiting and/or diarrhoea and can be dangerous if a patient is already very weak.

Hospital spokesman Chris Birdsall said: "The disease is typically around at this time of year and because it is in the community it has been brought into the hospital by staff, visitors or patients.

"One of the problems is that a person can have it for two days before they get any symptoms.

"If a visitor does have any symptoms we would urge them not to come in or to keep visits to a minimum.

"The illness is extra infectious because it is airborne which is why we have confined it to particular areas. We have isolated some people with the infection in single rooms and have clustered others on four bed wards which have en suite loos so they don't need to leave the ward."

As well as isolating those with the bug, the hospital is ensuring that all staff regularly wash their hands to stop it from spreading.

The Saturn and Neptune wards closed to new admissions on Monday and are expected to re-open by the end of the week.

Dr David Birley, of the Priory Road surgery in Park South, said: "It is very infectious as it is airborne, like a cold, so in a family or on a hospital ward several people will get it. It can be serious or mild depending on your luck.

"It's not usually dangerous, but it can be if someone is unfit and has an existing condition or already has a bowel condition."

Dr Birley said there is no specific cure and that those affected should drink plenty of fluids.

"You probably won't want to eat normally but that doesn't matter as long as you carrying on sipping fluid," he said.

"You can also take paracetamol as long as you are not too sick to absorb it."

It is the second time this year that Swindon has been hit by a contagious illness.

On January 3 the Adver published a story about how dozens of Swindon families had been struck down by a mystery bug.

The bug, which doctors had not been able to identify, had flu like symptoms as well as diarrhoea and vomiting.

Doctors said they had seen double the number of patients they would expect at that time of year.

Dr Peter Swinyard of the Phoenix Surgery in Toothill reported seeing more than 20 patients with the bug before lunch on one day.

Take plenty of fluids

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and the intestine causing vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever.

Most attacks clear up on their own but if the vomiting and diarrhoea are severe the patient can become dehydrated this is particularly serious for babies and small children.

Adults with gastroenteritis must drink fluids but not alcohol.

Antibiotics are of no value in most cases. Parents and carers of babies and small children with the illness should replace lost fluid by diluting feeds, allowing longer breast feeds or giving rehydration mixtures as advised by the doctor.

If a child is unable to take fluids for any reason, such as repeated vomiting, the doctor should be informed.

Diana Milne