24-hour virus spreads across area

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- State health officials said hospitalizations have been on the increase for the flu, but a serious 24-hour virus has been impacting many across our area.

Dr. Vicki Whitacre with the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department said this virus has flu-like symptoms but doesn’t have the same duration.

“The 24-hour type flu that involves vomiting and diarrhea is a different strain of viruses and their is no vaccine for that at the current time,” said Vicki Whitacre, Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department.

Although battling flu like symptoms is no fun, you want to be sure that you’re taking the necessary actions to maintain your health, and prevent spreading your symptoms to those around you.

“If you do feel you have influenza or the flu, you can call your doctor for the for the antiviral medication that can be taken. You need to remember that in you go into work, you’re going to give it to someone. You need to be without fever for at least 24 hours before you can go out and about in the public,” said Whitacre.

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department will continue to give flu shots until they run out of supplies. Dr. Whitacre encourages everyone who hasn’t already to come out and get their shot as soon as possible.