there is a really really severe stomach virus going around in the area that I live in (upstate NY). My daughter and her two year old first came down with it, excessive explosive (sorry) diahrea (sp?) and continual vomiting. This isn't one of those 24 hour type of things, it lasts something like 3-4 days. My ex-husband (and still great friend) came down with it three days later and ended up in the hospital.
A ten year old boy died from this that attends my grandsons schools (what sounds like) the same virus. Last Monday was my twin grandson's 8th birthday so I had to go to my daughters home, despite their illness. I actually kept gloves on the entire time, and 1/2 of the time had a scarf over my nose and mouth.
The hospital where my husband went told him they were 'overwhelmed' by this virus.
I always think of "the flu" as a respiratory infection -- my oldest daughter contacted the H1 N1 virus, I think, actually through me, this was about two to three years ago. I had to pick up a prescription, the person in front of me was REALLY sick & I had to "sign" for my prescription right after her with the same writing implement. Within three days I was SO sick with pneumonia like symptoms. Days later it was my daughters birthday, I was a little better but not 100 percent at all & I went to her home and I think infected her. Days later she became ill (she has a history of asthma) and ended up in the hospital. We had to visit her with gowns, boots, covering our nose and mouth. In the middle of the night they called my husband, saying she was in critical condition. He didn't call me, thinking he would let me sleep and call first thing in the morning, plus I had the twins at my house. She did recover, but it was a very scary medical situation.
It seems like this "stomach virus" that is going on is like the ?? norvovirus ?? again, spelling might be off. This is definitely NOT one of those 24 hour stomach viruses, it lasts three to four days.
Is this going on in any of your communities?