Diarrhoea and Vomiting
- If you are suffering with Diarrhoea and/ or Vomiting you should tell the ambulance crew as soon as possible so that they take the necessary precautions to prevent spread.
- Many of the infections that cause Diarrhoea and Vomiting are spread by touching contaminated surfaces like door handles, toilet flush levers, kettle and fridge door handles etc. The infection can live for quite a long time on these surfaces, so it can easily pass between people in the household.
- You can reduce the risk by washing your hands regularly, every time you use to toilet, and before eating or drinking. You should also disinfect door handles, toilet flush levers, kettle and fridge door handles etc regularly throughout the day.
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE)
- CPE is an infection caused by bacteria and can happen in any part of your body including Wounds, Urinary Tract and Bowels. CPE can only be diagnosed by testing, and you will usually be treated with antibiotics in hospital before being discharged home. In some cases you may still be carrying the bacteria after you have been treated, but this will go away in time.
- It is important that you tell the ambulance crew if you have been diagnosed with CPE recently, even if you have been treated. The ambulance crew will take precautions such as wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent spreading the bacteria, and will take extra care when cleaning their equipment and vehicle.
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
- MRSA is a type of bacteria that usually lives harmlessly on the skin, which we call colonisation. Sometimes people may have a MRSA infection, which could make them very ill. You are at a higher risk of having MRSA if you have stayed in hospital or in a care home.
- If you have been told that you have an MRSA infection or colonisation, please tell the ambulance crew as soon as possible so that they can take extra precautions to prevent spreading it. They may use additional PPE and will take extra care when cleaning the equipment and vehicle.
- If you are caring for someone with MRSA, or visiting someone in hospital or a care home, you should wash your hands thoroughly and often.
Coughs, Colds, Sneezes and runny noses
- Many different illnesses cause coughs, sneezes and runny noses. Some of these are mild, but some can cause very serious illness, particularly for certain people. These types of illness tend to spread very easily, so it's important to try and reduce this as much as possible.
- Please make sure that you cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze so that the droplets do not land on others and then wash your hands.
- You should blow your nose into a tissue and then dispose of it immediately into a bin, then wash your hands.
- It would be appreciated if you could wear a mask while the ambulance crew are with you, unless it makes it difficult to breath. The ambulance crew can provide one if you do not have any to hand.
- You should also open as many windows and doors as possible to allow fresh air to circulate.
- Our ambulance crew should take extra precautions such as wearing PPE. In some cases they may need to wear a full-body suit and a special hood over their head. Do not worry, this does not mean that you are more unwell, it is only an extra measure to prevent them from catching or passing on an illness to other patients.