Area hospitals seeing first flu and stomach virus patients - KOAM TV 7

Area hospitals seeing first flu and stomach virus patients

Emergency room doctors are beginning to see their first flu and stomach virus patients of the season.

Joins us after talking with medical workers.

One emergency room doctor at St. John's Regional Medical Center says he is now seeing the rush of people complaining of flu-like symptoms.

The flu virus itself is separate from a stomach virus called gastroenteritis.

During one morning at St. John's emergency room, doctors saw four people with the stomach virus.

Doctors say it is important to keep hydrated while having the stomach virus or flu.

Over-the-counter medicines help relieve nausea and prevent vomiting.  Yogurt can also help ease diarrhea.

"Some specifically will say active cultures within the yogurt," says St. John's Dr. Kenneth Stewart.  "Activia is a specific yogurt that have active lactose basilis in it.  And it's a very good yogurt for treating diarrhea symptoms."