Stomach Flu: Back With A Vengeance
By: Stephanie Jackson, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 10, 2007
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the leading cause of contagious gastroenteritis, or "stomach flu" is the norovirus. One doctor at the CDC describes the norovirus as "capricious" and easily spread.
Doctors this winter are seeing about two to three times as many norovirus cases as usual, according to the CDC.
The Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services says it doesn't compile information about how many cases of gastroenteritis happen in the state.
Stomach flu is a totally different illness than influenza which causes high fever and respiratory distress. As long as you stay hydrated, stomach flu does not usually require a trip to the doctor.
