Stomach Flu Spreading

Several cases of viral gastroenteritis are causing many people in the area to become sick.

The sickness is spread through contaminated food, and also from contact between person to person.
This is commonly referred to as the stomach flu, but according to Dr. Vicki Whitacre, of the Muskingum County Health Department, the sickness is actually not a strain of the influenza virus.

“Right now, we don’t have much true influenza flu, what we’re seeing in people is more of a stomach flu with vomiting and diarrhea that’s lasting around 24 hours with people taking a couple more days to recover from it,” said Whitacre.

The stomach flu can have other major symptoms such as stomach pain and dehydration.
Dr. Whitacre says those who are sick should try drinking small amounts of liquids, and says those who aren’t able to keep liquids down should seek medical attention.

“If you can not keep the fluid down and you’re losing lots, you can get very dehydrated, very sick,” added Whitacre. “People have even died particularly from vomiting and diarrhea together.”

Dr. Whitacre says the best prevention is to make sure the food you’re eating is prepared properly, and to wash your hands frequently.