Stomach Flu Cases On The Rise

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – There’s been an uptick in Norovirus cases, an extremely contagious stomach bug. Channel 11 spoke with an AHN doctor about who’s at risk and how to protect yourself from the virus. “It’s all over the schools. It’s everywhere,” a local parent said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there’s been a nationwide increase of the illness, commonly known as the stomach flu. Dr. Brian Lamb with Allegheny Health Network said the surge is due to the holidays and a lot of people gathering inside because it’s cold. “We tend to see outbreaks like this on cruise ships all the time, we see it in prisons and daycares, we see it in dorms. Anywhere where people are in a very close contact with each other,” Dr. Lamb said. Dr. Lamb said common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, body ache, headache, and fever. People of all ages can get it. There’s no treatment so Dr. Lamb encourages those who are infected to stay hydrated. He said the best way to protect yourself is washing your hands.