Know someone who has been sick this week?

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Nancy LaChappelle
  • 341st Medical Group
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Chances are someone at home, at school or at work has been ill this past week with symptoms of vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea or some combination of all three. It seems a stomach virus is making the rounds of work centers and schools. The virus, while miserable, has not proven to be a serious illness. Here are some tips for avoiding the virus: 

1) Wash your hands! Most viruses are spread by hands not through the air. Touching mouth, nose or eyes after shaking the hand of a friend or taking change from a cashier are examples of how these germs can be transferred. Frequent hand washing, especially after coming into contact with other people, will kill the germs that cause the virus. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hands can't be washed with soap and water. 

2) Clean work surfaces! Viruses can survive up to three hours on inanimate objects, so cleaning work surfaces (desk, phone, etc) with disinfectant may help stop infections. 

3) Practice good health habits! A healthy immune system is a good defense against viruses. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Those who suffer from a chronic illness should follow the health plan their provider has given them. 

These common-sense steps are simple, but they may mean the difference between spending days sick in bed or sailing through the winter season without a problem. 

Anyone who does come down with the virus, doctors recommend the following: 

1) Stay home from work or school while actively ill. Going to work or school only exposes others and spreads the virus; going to the clinic exposes large numbers of people to a contagious virus. Supervisors can grant 24 to 48 hours at home without a medical visit. If the problem lasts longer than the supervisor is comfortable with, make sure to call for an appointment. The clinic does not have sick call hours. While at home, stay in bed and rest. 

2) Stay hydrated. This is often difficult to do when vomiting or having diarrhea. Usual recommendations are for sipping small amounts of clear liquids (anything you can see through) until able to keep down more substantial foods or beverages. 

3) Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) according to package directions for abdominal pain, fever or chills, aches and pains. 

If symptoms last longer than a few days or include black or bloody stools or vomiting, severe abdominal pain unrelieved by Tylenol and rest; listlessness in a small child or headache with stiff neck, you may have something other than the usual virus and should talk to your provider. 

Although viral symptoms can make a person feel horrible, it is a problem that can be managed at home without a visit to the provider. Use the "Take Care of Yourself" book for more in-depth information. Copies available at the clinic. Antibiotics are not needed for viral symptoms; in fact they will not help at all. Call 731-4MED for home care advice.