Stomach virus going around, local officials warn
JANESVILLE — The vomiting lasts about 12 hours.
Then the diarrhea kicks in for two or three days.
And by that time, you’ve likely passed on the fun to someone else in your household.
Health officials say that pattern has been repeated throughout Rock County the last few weeks as a viral gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, goes around.
Urgent Care at Mercy Health Mall in Janesville sees about 75 people a day, and for the last three to four weeks, at least 10 people a day have come in with stomach flu symptoms, said Dr. Catherine Onsrud, a nurse practitioner.
At Mercy’s emergency room, nine to 10 cases of the stomach flu came in Wednesday.
Most people seeking medical attention have been throwing up every two hours for about 12 hours before having diarrhea for two to three days, along with abdominal cramps and generally feeling miserable, Onsrud said.
The stomach flu is different from the seasonal flu, which is respiratory and preventable with the seasonal vaccine. Symptoms of the seasonal flu include a fever, chills, sore throat, runny nose, cough and fatigue.
The stomach virus can spread through households quickly, and doctors who see a patient with the stomach flu are likely to see one of the patient’s family members two to three days later.
“If you get it in your family, it’s going to be hard to prevent it from anybody else getting it,” Onsrud said.
By the time symptoms arrive, the person already has exposed everyone for a couple days.
Not everyone needs to go to the doctor, however.
“If they are able to tolerate it, it’s better to stay at home,” Onsrud said.
People who get dizzy, weak, have intense abdominal pain or blood in their vomit or stool should seek medcial attention, she said.
Patients seeking medical care have been treated with IV fluids and anti-nausea medication, she said.
Doctors recommend patients stay on a clear liquid diet for the first 24 hours after vomiting, then go to the BRAT—bananas, rice, applesauce and toast—diet for the next 24 hours, she said. After that, patients can eat whatever they want.
Eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated helps protect your body from the flu, officials say, and of course, good hand washing is important, too.
The stomach flu usually circulates more in spring and fall, Onsrud said.
The good news is that cases of the seasonal flu have been very low in the region and statewide, health officials say.
Urgent Care has seen only about three cases of seasonal flu, compared to 300 to 500 at this time last year, Onsrud said.
That could be because of the number of vaccinations given or because the flu just isn’t yet here, Rock County Health Officer Karen Cain said.
“We still have a lot of winter to go,” she said. “It might peak in March.”
Dec 14, 2012 at 7:09 p.m.
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This article is 2 years old.
Dec 14, 2012 at 5:22 p.m.
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I just took like 12 back to back jet fueled deposits in my toilet. No cramps or puking though.
Dec 14, 2012 at 5:07 p.m.
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Please stop referring to illnesses that are not influenza as "flu." There's no such thing as "stomach flu."
Jan 5, 2011 at 6:52 a.m.
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B.R.A.T. diet !!! i love brats !
Jan 4, 2011 at 11:54 a.m.
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Freeradical, you are right. We have killed the good bacteria that kills the bad bacteria. Human skin is full of both. Over time, being so cleanly has killed off the "fighter" bacteria.
Jan 4, 2011 at 11:10 a.m.
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I agree, it is definitely is contrary to the way we've always thought about those titles.
Jan 4, 2011 at 10:33 a.m.
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True...much as a psychologist with a PhD or audiologist with an AuD can be called a doctor. It is confusing to the lay public though that these practitioners are addressed the same as their MD's or DO's
Jan 4, 2011 at 10:27 a.m.
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If they have earned a doctoral degree they can be refereed to as Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Jan 4, 2011 at 10:04 a.m.
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A nurse practitioner is not a doctor and shouldn't be addressed as such
Jan 4, 2011 at 9:49 a.m.
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If we stopped constantly washing our hands and get over our obsession with flu shots(pharmaceutical propaganda for fat pockets, anyone?) , we might fare better against these viruses. We try to no end to prevent getting sick,some of us even carrying pocket sized disinfectant to keep our body from getting exposed to even most common germs.So when we finally do,our body has to really rev it up to fight off the bad guys, and it takes us down for the count. Not to mention we are packing very little diversity within our immune systems if we don't eat something off the floor once in awhile! ;)
It's unfortunate it's going around, I suppose it's good knowledge to have, but as far as preventing any kind of widespread outbreak it's a bunch of hogwash. I think it's entertaining that some of you "wash your hands more" when you read this. Wash your hands a lot, or don't. Don't let your health habits be dictated by common knowledge taken as something new. Use the 5 second rule, don't wash your hands unless they're actually dirty, and don't go to the doctor unless you have to. All we're doing with overusing antibiotics and hindering our own immune systems is setting ourselves up for decimation by superbug! A few of you are basically admitting to having sub-par hygiene habits normally, but are willing to wash your hands more if something is going around. Seems counter-intuitive, but I guess you all get A's for effort! =D
Jan 4, 2011 at 6:28 a.m.
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A virus can live on a surface anywhere from a few moments to two days. Do people really think that soapy sponge washing dishes in the kitchen sink disinfects spoons, forks, and glasses?
There are only three ways to disinfect eating and drinking utensils to kill bacteria and viruses. Heat (dishwasher), Bleach (one Tablespoon per gallon water), hot boiling water.
Jan 3, 2011 at 9:34 a.m.
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Someone told me a few years ago never to touch your face/eye area without washing your hands first. I've tried real hard to follow that advice and I have to say I think I'm sick much less than the average person.
Jan 3, 2011 at 8:47 a.m.
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We had a family gathering Christmas Eve with 20 people attending. By the end of Christmas Day, 14 people had gotten the flu. The only ones who didn't get it were those who smoked! True story! Not sure of the relevance, just seemed odd.
Jan 2, 2011 at 8:29 p.m.
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Yes, I would wash my hands and be careful whom and what I touch (e.g. use my shoulder to open a restroom door if possible). Mainly, though, just be aware that this is out there and be ready to handle the symptoms in you and family members.
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StormChaser, the health department doesn't send out warnings based on some schnook like one of us calling in a report. They go by medical diagnoses that are reported using a state and federal notification system.
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As to the Christmas leftovers jab, it's not really that (i.e. food gone bad) -- it can spread through food that has been prepared by an infected person, probably before they themselves were showing symptoms.
Jan 2, 2011 at 6:42 p.m.
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In other words, it's not the season to be asking your friends and family to "pull your finger"???
Jan 2, 2011 at 8:19 a.m.
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Its run through my daughter's family of 5. It started Christmas Eve with my grandson and my daughter was down with it on New Year's Eve. Ugly stuff! Knowing it is rampant in the county has kept me from returning some items to the stores and I'm hesitant to see my daughter's family until some time has passed.
Being forewarned is forearmed!
Jan 2, 2011 at 8:16 a.m.
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Bubble. Does anyone have a bubble I can borrow?
Jan 1, 2011 at 5:31 p.m.
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I, for one, was my hands much more and more thoroughly during cold and flu season, and when I know there is an ongoing pandemic. The information helps, a lot.
Jan 1, 2011 at 4:07 p.m.
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And if we were warned, what does that do? This warning doesn't affect me, except now I know there's a stomach virus. Am I supposed to not go out? Or wash my hands a lot-like we should already be doing? Storm Chaser-The warning is good, I just don't think it being printed has any effect on who gets it.
Jan 1, 2011 at 2:59 p.m.
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Funny thing about this article. When I mentioned I had this 2 weeks ago to a Health Department official I was basically given the brush-off. Now it seems I was right all along, and they issued an advisory. Many more could have been warned weeks ago if someone would have listened to the public sooner.
Jan 1, 2011 at 1:47 p.m.
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I had it also, last day is today, I hope. This is the 5th day. Unless it is a child or someone with a weak immune system, stay home. When people load up at the ER or the Urgent Care facilities, you are just passing it off to everyone else that isn't sick yet. This gets me every year, stay home from work (if possible), stay home from school and rest! Plenty of fluids and plain old rest. I know when I laid down my tummy felt better than when I was sitting up. Hope everyone gets better and like I said, STAY HOME.
Jan 1, 2011 at 12:33 p.m.
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It is not fun. Just back on my regular food today. Been a long week. Hint of the day: Stock up on bleach.
Jan 1, 2011 at 11:56 a.m.
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and of course i got it because people wouldn't stay home from work when they were sick. thanks!
Jan 1, 2011 at 11:04 a.m.
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I had a stomach bug for the first time in 10 years back on October. I guess I got the ball rolling for everyone else :)
Dec 31, 2010 at 10:34 p.m.
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Werpknarly is right. If you have ever had flu really bad, it gets scary. I knew somebody who had H1N1 last year and landed themselves in the hospital for a good stay.
Dec 31, 2010 at 10:29 p.m.
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yes, severe dehydration and lost of electrolytes from vomiting and diarrhea can be very dangerous and life threatening. a friends 20ish daughter spent most of the night in the ER before they had her stable enough to go home... if you cant keep the water down, you cant replace it.
Dec 31, 2010 at 9:54 p.m.
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Yes people go to the ER for the flu and there is no need unless they are in a high risk group or have other illnesses that the flu with cause complications with. And we wonder why our health care rates are so high
Dec 31, 2010 at 8:40 p.m.
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People really go to the emergency room for a flu?
Dec 31, 2010 at 6:26 p.m.
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Christmas leftovers?
Dec 31, 2010 at 5:42 p.m.
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I would say as much as 2/3 of the people I know had this within a couple days of Christmas (before or during). It was awful and I'm glad everyone is feeling better.
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