Visitor Advisory – Please avoid visiting St. Vincent’s University Hospital if you are feeling unwell

As we are seeing high levels of flu and respiratory illnesses in the community, we respectfully ask all visitors to help us to prevent the spread of infection in the hospital.

Please do not visit the hospital if you have any symptoms of cold, flu, COVID-19, or any viral illness.

Please do not visit if you have been unwell in the past 48 hours or have recently been in contact with someone with flu or similar respiratory symptoms.

If you must visit the hospital, please wear a facemask to help protect our patients and staff.  Use the hand sanitisers at the hospital and ward entrances.

If you need to attend the Emergency Department, please be prepared for longer waiting times due to higher-than-normal attendance levels.

Please be kind and respectful to our staff, they are here to help you and they are working tirelessly, often in very difficult circumstances, to provide the best possible care.

Thanking visitors for their co-operation, Cahal Flynn, Director of Operations at SVUH said; “We know that visitors form an important part of our patient’s day but it is really important that we minimise the risk of infection to patients, visitors and staff.  Their cooperation in not visiting the hospital if unwell will play a vital role in reducing the spread of illness and easing the strain on our services. I want to thank our visitors for their understanding and cooperation during peak flu season”.

For more information on staying well this winter, visit www.hse.ie or speak to your local pharmacist.

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What’s the difference between a cold and the flu?

Common cold symptoms.

A cold usually develops gradually.  Symptoms include

• a stuffy or runny nose
• sore throat
• mild cough. It can be unpleasant but is generally manageable at home.

Common flu symptoms.

Flu tends to come on suddenly and is more severe.  Symptoms include

• High fever
• Severe body aches
• Extreme fatigue
• Persistent cough

In most cases, flu symptoms can be managed at home with rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications. However, you should seek hospital care if you or someone you care for experiences any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Confusion or sudden dizziness
• Symptoms that improve but then return with worsening fever or cough

How to prevent the spread of flu

To help protect yourself and those around you:

• Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap.
• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze and dispose of them promptly.
• Avoid close contact with others if you are feeling unwell.
• If you are visiting the hospital, please wear a facemask and use hand sanitiser.

We also strongly encourage everyone, particularly those in vulnerable groups such as people with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease, to get the flu vaccine. It offers the best protection against seasonal flu and helps reduce the risk of serious complications.