Viral gastroenteritis--a danger to the patient, a danger to the staff.
Viral gastroenteritis is usually a mild, self-limiting illness. We report a case of a previously well 74-year-old woman who suffered a grave complication of this common condition, and caused a significant outbreak of illness amongst staff involved in her care. This case highlights the risks of Hospital Acquired Infection and raises important infection control issues. It illustrates the hazards associated with exposure to potentially infectious secretions and presents a clear message to medical and nursing staff involved in the care of the acute surgical emergency.
Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK. appelboamr@doctors.org.uk
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Appelboam
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Hammond
D000368:Aged; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D029322:Norovirus; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology