Columbus, OH,
23
March
2017
|
13:00 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

10TV: What's Going Around

10TV’s “What’s Going Around” segment recently brought anchor and medical reporter Tracy Townsend to OhioHealth Urgent Care to check in with Glenn Williams, MD, who serves as medical director.

Dr. Williams told Townsend that right now, urgent cares are seeing cases of gastroenteritis, most commonly known as the stomach flu. Symptoms of the stomach flu include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Cramps
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea

It typically will last between one and five days and spreads easily.

“Typically, you’ll get it through contact, picking it up from a surface and wiping your eyes or sharing things with other people,” said Dr. Williams. He reminds people to stay hydrated if you contract the stomach flu. Sports drinks can help, because they contain electrolytes.

Good hygiene is also key, especially for stomach flu prevention. – make sure to wash your hands with soap and water frequently!

People with respiratory infections are also walking into physician offices for care. Symptoms of those include:

  • Runny nose
  • Congestion
  • Cough
  • Occasionally a low-grade fever

Dr. Williams told Townsend that in addition to fluids, rest and over the counter decongestants, a salt/water saline mix can also be helpful.

“Saline like a salt water mixture that you can either make yourself or buy over-the-counter. You spray up into your nose. Or you can use a Neti pot which is a big pot of saline water you pour into your nose to flush out your sinuses and it really helps reduce the congestion," he said.

You can see more of Dr. Williams’ interview with 10TV in the video player above. Need to visit an urgent care? Click here to find a location near you.