TERRE HAUTE —
It’s the ugly side of the cold-and-flu season.
Nobody likes to discuss it, and for two excellent reasons.
a. The details are, well, gross, and …
b. As soon as you inject the phrase “everybody in our house has the stomach flu” into a conversation, people start backing away toward the door, wondering how long they can hold their breath. You might as well have said, “I’m radioactive.”
Yes, we’re referring to an ailment we all know and loathe as “the stomach flu,” but it’s really not the flu, and it’s really not fun. In a nutshell, “viral gastroenteritis” amounts to 24 to 48 hours of digestive-tract hell — vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fever. To avoid spreading it, stay in an isolation booth like those used in the old “Dating Game” show. Otherwise, renew your acquaintance with Clorox bleach.
A nationwide surge in influenza cases has hit Indiana, Illinois and the Midwest with a “high activity level,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is the actual flu, a virus involving an upper respiratory infection that causes chills, body aches, headaches, sore throat and coughing. Influenza can be particularly risky for young children, seniors, diabetics and folks with weakened immune systems. Public awareness about prevention of influenza, including the importance of flu shots, has been widespread this winter.
But “stomach flu” is prevalent this season, too. “We have seen increased activity of norovirus around the state,” said Pam Pontones, epidemiologist at the Indiana State Department of Health in Indianapolis, referring to a common strain of virus causing “stomach flu.”
Influenza and the “stomach flu” involve different viruses.
Viral gastroenteritis features inflammation of the stomach and intestines, and is most often caused by two unpleasant viruses — rotavirus in small children and the norovirus in adults. It’s helpful to be the latter, an adult, in discussing the manner in which the norovirus is spread. Boiling it down to one merciful sentence, noroviruses disseminate through the stool of infected persons, and can be rapidly transmitted through contaminated food or drinks, or through close contact with some poor soul who is ill with it.
“Norovirus is extremely contagious,” Pontones said.
And durable. Just a small amount of the norovirus on a surface can pass it along to unsuspecting Joe or Jane. It can linger on those surfaces for days, too.
The $64,000 question remains. Given its contagious nature, if someone in your household suddenly comes down with gastroenteritis, is it inevitable that everyone will also wind up throwing up?
Maybe.
“Because the amount of virus necessary to transmit is so small, it can be difficult — but not impossible — to keep it from spreading,” Pontones said.
Unlike influenza, there isn’t a “stomach flu” shot.
“Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine for the ‘stomach flu,’” said Sydney Elliott, health educator for the Vigo County Health Department. “That’s just something your body is going to have to work itself out.”
That doesn’t mean you have to just curl up in a ball and wait for that instantaneous, deer-in-the-headlights moment when nausea hits. Families can fight back by breaking out the bleach and protective gloves, Pontones said. If the home contains two or more bathrooms, give the sick person exclusive use of one of those. Use a bleach-to-water solution and wear rubber gloves when cleaning up after a “stomach flu” episode. Handwashing and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers helps. Those who are ill should stay home from school or work and should not prepare any food.
Speaking of food, gastroenteritis disrupts, of course, routine consumption. Some sips of liquid will be necessary, though, as the ailment unfolds, Pontones explained. “It’s important, if possible, to rehydrate as much as you can,” she said.
The predicament has an upside, sort of.
“The good thing about norovirus is infection resolves in one to two days,” Pontones said. If the symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, the ill should consult their physician, she added.
Also, “people do develop immunity to norovirus once they have resolved infection,” she said.
But, like the TV show “Survivor,” that immunity doesn’t last long. And, we can’t just vote the “stomach flu” off the island. We must either outwit, outplay or outlast it.
In the meantime, keep washing those hands.
Mark Bennett can be reached at 812-231-4377 or mark.bennett@
tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star columnist Mark Bennett
Discussion
MARK BENNETT: By whatever name, stomach virus still a sick story
- News
-
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
-
Kindergartner diagnosed with MD treated to a day with the fire department
“He’ll just never forget this day,” Stacey Manley said, a little bit tearfully, as she watched her smiling 6-year-old son Carter sitting happily in the captain’s seat of Fire Engine 2.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Rose-Hulman projects will promote growth, learning for people with physical challenges
Life changed dramatically for college engineering student Drew Christy on Feb. 22, 2008 when he was involved in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
-
‘500’ gas stations being sold to Speedway LLC
After several decades in business, the area’s familiar “500” gasoline stations and convenience stores will soon be missing from the roadsides of Vigo and Sullivan counties.
-
Terre Haute woman faces 14 charges
A Terre Haute woman faces 14 criminal counts after her arrest Friday on drug-related charges.
-
Two adults injured in ATV accident
Two adults were injured Sunday evening while riding an all-terrain vehicle near Lexington Farms Subdivision off Moyer Drive in southern Vigo County.
-
Vigo schools’ medical claims down 4 percent
The Vigo County School Corp.’s medical claims were about $13 million over the last 12 months, down 4 percent from the prior year, said Diane Titchenell, an Anthem account manager that works with the school district.
-
2013 Government Directory now available
The 2013 Government Directory is now available.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Is it regulation that doesn’t make sense or evening the playing field?
I’m not much of a drinker, so I haven’t spent much time thinking about how Indiana’s alcohol laws personally impact me, but that changed last fall when my daughter got married.
-
For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
-
Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
State funding for the Vigo County School Corp. will remain “pretty flat” for the next two years, said Donna Wilson, chief financial officer.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Property owner seeks halt to Hulman Lake dam project
A Terre Haute property owner is seeking an injunction that would at least temporarily halt the city’s work on the Hulman Lake dam project.
-
Tornado veterans balance preparedness, practicality
Few things in nature are less predictable than a tornado. They can form quickly. They strike weirdly, leveling one building while leaving its neighbor untouched. They can fling a car a half-mile and turn a piece of lumber into a wall-piercing missile.
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
- More News Headlines
-
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Raw: Aussie Zoo Shows Off White Rhino Calf
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
