Stomach Flu Spreading at Start of Flu Season

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Flu season is upon us, but there's another bug the Oklahoma State Department of Health is warning parents about. Doctors say they're seeing more children sick with the stomach bug and it could be very contagious.

The playground is one of Sophia's favorite hangouts and this ball of energy is usually unstoppable. But earlier this week she lost her spunk when she came down with Viral Gastroenteritis or simply put, the stomach bug.

"She had a headache and didn't' want to go to school which is very unusual for Sophia, because she loves school," said Sophia's mother Adrianna Iwasinski.

"This guy had a really bad headache from school or he either wasn't good and got the bug again and may have passed it on to me," said Sophia Tefertiller.

Sophia and her schoolmate are not alone. Oklahoma State Department of Health officials said there's a growing number of stomach flu cases in the metro from day cares, to churches and schools.

"We've been investigating some clusters of illnesses in school systems in the Oklahoma City area," said Becky Coffman, an Oklahoma State Dept. of Health Epidemiologist.

The stomach virus is highly contagious and the symptoms can vary from headaches and vomiting to severe diarrhea. There are several ways to get infected with the bug, so it's important to follow food safety guidelines and keep everything clean.

"Especially when you're around settings like schools or work, that's important to wash your hands, especially if you cough and sneeze," Coffman said.

For moms like News 9's Adrianna Iwasinski, she's taking all those precautions and then some.

"You hate it when your child isn't feeling well, but having to juggle work and having a child sick from school it's all a balancing act. She's all better now but just getting over being sick isn't any fun," said Iwasinski.

Doctors say the virus will run its course for about 24 hours and the best thing to do is stay home for a few days until conditions improve.

Learn more about the stomach virus and how you can treat or prevent it.