Officials tracking reports of 'stomach flu'

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

It's not close to an epidemic, but a nasty wave of what is politely referred to as "stomach flu" is making the rounds.

The state health department says it has received informal reports on a wave of illnesses, but has found no medical evidence of an outbreak.

State health officials are hearing from people who have said they have relatives or friends who have experienced a sudden sickness that affects their digestive system, keeping them home from work or school, said Dr. James Marzolf, acting chief of the epidemiology branch of the state Department of Health.

"Anecdotally, we've heard about this," Marzolf said, but there have been no laboratory-tested cases of a flu strain that causes nausea and diarrhea. But he said officials now are looking out for such symptoms.

Because some of the reports indicate that those who are getting sick are children, Marzolf said the department is asking school nurses to take samples in any cases they see. Those samples can be analyzed in a laboratory to try to trace the origin of the ailment to see if it's a flu or virus or something else.

"There's a lot of stuff it could be," Marzolf said, including a number of viruses that target the stomach and digestive system. He said there have been no reports to indicate the queasiness comes from a food source.

His department tracks flu cases and has seen few diagnosed cases. Most of them can be prevented by flu shots, which are still available.

Marzolf said one reason that they may not have specific evidence reported by doctors or clinics is that the illness is relatively brief and treated by rest.

"No one likes to throw up and have the runs, but it sort of resolves quickly," Marzolf said.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.