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Thousands call for help as stomach bug sweeps the capital
Anna Davis13 Mar 2009
Thousands of Londoners have been hit by a series of stomach bugs sweeping the capital.
Latest figures show almost 1,500 people sought medical advice for stomach problems last week alone.
Almost nine per cent of all Londoners who called NHS Direct complained of stomach trouble, compared with the normal figure of four per cent. The number of people calling the health helpline with similar symptoms has been rising since Christmas.
Figures peaked last week when 1,491 people called to complain of severe stomach upsets, including 350 people calling on behalf of toddlers and babies.
Experts said the figures include people suffering from norovirus - the winter vomiting bug - and rotavirus, a condition which affects children and can last up to eight days.
They also include people who have caught sapovirus -which causes mild gastroenteritis - as well as E.coli and salmonella poisoning.
Camden GP Stephen Amiel said the number of patients he has seen with stomach problems is "25 to 30 per cent up on last year".
He added: "There are always a number of different vomiting and diarrhoea illnesses. Many of them are labelled as norovirus because of the time of year, but you can't be sure in every case. To an extent that doesn't matter because the treatment is the same.
"Although the numbers are up, my GP surgery hasn't been overwhelmed with people suffering from this problem, which shows NHS Direct is doing its job. They try to help people to help themselves without going to a doctor. There is not too much a doctor can do. You have to wait for it to go by itself."
A spokeswoman for the Health Protection Agency said: "As there is no specific treatment for these illnesses, the best thing for people with diarrhoea and vomiting to do is to rest at home and drink plenty of fluids.
"Most people should recover within two to three days but should call NHS Direct or their GP if symptoms persist." The agency's scientists have recorded a rise in children suffering from the rotavirus.
The spokeswoman said: "Rotavirus, the most common cause of gastroenteritis in infants, is a seasonal virus which usually increases in early spring."
But the increased number of children with rotavirus is within normal seasonal levels, she added.
Reader views (3)
Its hearing about England's cricket team. Bring back Ramps for the ashes
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 13/03/2009 14:47
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I wish I'd heard of this ... could have thrown a Friday sickie!
- Paul, London, 13/03/2009 12:00
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It's not a bug, we're sick of living under Nu Labour and all that entails.
- Real, London, 13/03/2009 09:38
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