ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - Seems like people may have been passing along more than gifts and good tidings over the holiday season. Ohio health officials say that hospitalizations because of influenza have increased by 116%, and medical officials are also seeing the spread of norovirus across the United States.
"If you are sick, stay home; don't share with your family and friends."
Norovirus causes predominantly nausea, vomiting, and some diarrhea; it is also highly contagious. Flu can be more serious with body aches, fever, cough, and other respiratory problems.
Lima Memorial Health System has seen more patients coming in with viral illnesses.
"We are very busy here in the emergency room and also in the hospital with people who are ill from any kind of viral illness, respiratory viral illnesses. We can test for influenza easily to know if it is influenza. Whereas the Norovirus is a stool test, it is really more of a mild illness that there isn't a specific treatment. It's important to know that antibiotics do not fix viruses. So, your provider will probably not give you an antibiotic for this," says Dr. Susan Kaufman, chief medical officer at Lima Memorial Health System.
Ohio health officials say that hospitalizations because of influenza have increased by 116%.
Washing your hands often will help reduce the spread of norovirus and the flu. And if you are not feeling well, Kaufman has this advice.
"If you are sick, stay home; don't share with your family and friends. Especially if you have an elderly family member or a young child who couldn't handle the illness as well as we can," adds Kaufman.
If you haven't gotten your flu vaccine yet, Kaufman says it is not too late to help reduce the severity of the virus if it comes your way.
