Staff at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals are asking people to think twice about visiting hospital and not to come in if they are suffering from symptoms of the winter vomiting bug.

New figures reveal that the number of people suffering from the highly contagious illness, norovirus, is 83 per cent higher this year compared to 2011. 

To help prevent the spread of norovirus they are asking people to wash their hands thoroughly and to use the alcohol gel when visiting the hospital.

There is no particular treatment for norovirus but doctors and nurses advise drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration, taking paracetamol for fever and to stay at home and contact your GP.