Flu and stomach bug cases on the rise as COVID cases remain low across Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri hit its first week of the endemic phase of the COVID-19 pandemic Friday but health experts say Influenza and norovirus cases are on the rise.
Christopher Sampson, an emergency physician with MU Health Care, says over the past few weeks he has seen an increase of patients coming in with the flu and norovirus.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, from March 27 to last Saturday there were 1,112 laboratory-positive influenza cases.
From August 1st, 2021-March 5, 2022 the CDC says there were 448 norovirus cases.
COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in many parts of the county which is likely the cause of the uptick in infections.
"Both are always spread through contact between people." Dr. Sampson said. "So I think a lot of it is the return of people mingling, people are traveling more so again we are seeing people traveling to other cities and they are traveling by air and those are a lot of the times you can come in contact with sick people and infections can spread."
Since the wintertime, COVID cases began to decline while flu numbers began to rise, he says.
"Locally, we have seen a little bit of a rise again in the numbers for flu. The norovirus really has it's probably been over the past six months it's been rising and really have seen a severe spike in the past few weeks," Dr. Sampson said.
The norovirus is highly contagious and is spread between people through contaminated food or water and infected surfaces.
Dr. Sampson says the rise in cases of both viruses is affecting all age groups, as these viruses are highly contagious and tend to be spread in close areas like cruise ships and daycares.
"We're defiantly seeing both of them, the flu we see all age groups and even the norovirus its really affecting children, to adults to even older patients as well," he says.
Influenza and norovirus can be managed at home with over the counter medications but if someone is feeling severely ill it's suggested they seek medical treatment,
"If you having severe pain, unable to keep any liquids down because you are vomiting so much, you feel weak or dizzy." Dr. Sampson says, "those are probably signs to contact your doctor or go to an urgent care or go to the emergency department."
