"For a couple days it'll make you pretty miserable,” Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said. “You might feel like you want to die, but you're not dying."
You've got Norovirus. Its symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and sometimes a low grade fever. And this virus is making its way around mid-Michigan.
"Most of the outbreaks in Ingham County have been in nursing homes," Dr. Sugandha Lowhim, the medical director of the Ingham County Health Department said.
Which doctors say is one of the most common places for an outbreak. Same thing goes for schools. They say if just one person gets it, watch out.
"It's highly contagious so it can be very challenging to prevent," Vail said.
To keep yourself from getting sick make sure to wash your hands.
Dr. Lowhim says alcohol based hand sanitizers won't cut it.
Also wipe counter tops down with bleach. And if you do get Norovirus,
"Drink fluids, rest, take ibuprofen or whatever for pain muscle aches, that cramping or the fever," Vail said.
"Make sure you stay home," Dr. Lowhim said.
Doctor Lowhim says staying hydrated is the most important step because the biggest threat of Norovirus is dehydration.
"Especially young children and seniors can get dehydrated quite quickly," Dr. Lowhim said.
Signs of dehydration are excessive thirst, dry tongue and feeling dizzy when you stand up. If that's how you feel see your doctor.
