WINTER vomiting bug norovirus has led to hospitals restricting visitor access to wards in a bid to prevent further infection.

Norovirus is a highly infectious bug and although the symptoms are short-lived they can be very unpleasant. It is easily spread from person to person in several ways, but particularly through contaminated hands, food or water.

The main symptoms are projectile vomiting and/or diarrhoea but can also include nausea, stomach pain, headache and aching muscles, and usually last for 24-48 hours.

Wards at Taunton and Yeovil hospitals are affected.

Trudi Grant, director of public health for Somerset, said: “As everyone knows, the NHS is under great pressure this winter, especially the hospitals. If you experience the symptoms of norovirus please stay at home and do not go to your GP or hospital for at least 48 hours after the symptoms stop.

“There is nothing your GP can do while you have the symptoms – just keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.”