Stomach flu cases 50% higher this year in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The winter months are known as cold and flu season, and this winter is no exception.

Cases of norovirus are much higher this year in the Springfield area than in years past.

Springfield has seen 50% more cases of norovirus this year, according to Julio Nasim, a Physician Operational Leader at Mercy's Department of Infectious Diseases.

You might know the norovirus as the stomach bug.

"People shouldn't be scared about this virus," Nasim said. "This is something that comes every year. The only thing is this year it's worse than the previous year."

According to the CDC, norovirus causes 58% of foodborne illnesses in the United States.

Administrator of Communicable Diseases with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department Kendra Findley says it's the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the country.

It's most common from November to April.

"When you get people indoors in close contact with one another, you're just going to see more disease spread," Findley said.

You can experience symptoms just 24 hours after being exposed.

"Last year I got norovirus after my wife got norovirus because I was taking care of her," Nasim said.

It's known for being extremely contagious.

"There are many products that say that they kill 99% of all the viruses and bacteria around, that 1% is usually the norovirus," Nasim said.

Findley says symptoms will last up to three days.

"But you can actually shed it in your stool for up to two weeks," Findley said. "So after you feel fine, you can still be infectious."

Dr. Ian Fawks, a Hospitalist at CoxHealth, says people can manage the virus at home without a trip to the hospital.

"This is going to sound silly, but I always go back to what I call grandma logic," Fawks said. "To prevent it and transmission to others is to use hand sanitizer, Lysol the doorknob, things like that."

Nasim says if symptoms last longer than three days, it's best to contact your healthcare provider or go to urgent care.

"Wash your hands and it'll be okay," Fawks said. "Just do what you think your grandma would tell you and you'll get through the season okay."