RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A nasty bug is going around the Richmond area, and local doctors are seeing a rise in cases that could be norovirus.
“Maybe 10 to 20 percentof our patients are coming in with gastrointestinal illness of some kind,” said Dr. Andrew Kolb, the medical director at Patient First.
It’s the virus that last year struck in hard in Virginia, It shut down Hampden-Sydney College for several days and spread into elementary schools.
“It’s impossible to predict if we’ll see that again this year, we haven’t seen any influenza yet but the stomach virus continues to come in,” said Dr. Kolb.
Doctors at Patient First have seen an increase in norovirus cases over the past few weeks.
“Everything from stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, some combination of that, sometimes fever, very lethargic, decreased appetite,” explained Dr. Kolb.
The illness can last several days. One of the biggest concerns is dehydration.
“If someone were experiencing not keeping down fluids. If they’re getting dry mouths, dry throats, getting dizzy upon standing, decreased urination, I’d seek medical care,” said Dr. Kolb.
Norovirus can easily spread from person to person, and doctors usually see an uptick during the holiday season.
“Anytime you’re around close corridors, holidays, things like that, if anyone has symptoms it’s recommended not to be around food preferably at least two days after the symptoms resolve because the chance of spreading is very high,” said Dr. Kolb.
To prevent the spread? Doctors say go back to what we’ve always been taught— keep your home, and your hands clean.
“A good takeaway message don’t touch your face with your hands unless you wash them beforehand. Also wash your hands before you eat,” said Dr. Kolb.
8News reporter Claudia Rupcich spoke to other local doctors who say they’re seeing a lot of kids with respiratory infections–lots of coughing and colds.
To learn more about norovirus, click here.
