A gastrointestinal illness, which has been increasing across the state, also has been making Butler County residents sick.

This norovirus-like illness, which includes vomiting and diarrhea, made a number of employees of the Butler Eagle sick after a Jan. 30 pre-Super Bowl office lunch.

Dr. Tom McGill, Butler Memorial Hospital's vice president of quality and safety and an infectious disease control specialist, said the hospital is not being overwhelmed with such cases, but, "we have been seeing a rise in patients presenting vomiting and diarrhea symptoms."

He said to be certain about the cause of these illnesses patients would have to submit a stool sample for testing, and that is not a routine test.

In a Jan. 15 news release, the state Department of Health noted the rise in norovirus illnesses across the state.

Its seems more adults than children have gotten sick so far with most school districts in Butler County reporting a lower number of absences than usual for this time of year.

Doug Snyder and his wife, Lisa, both became ill Monday.

"It comes on very quickly, and I have to say, without a doubt, that this is not the sickest I have ever been, but the most violently ill I have ever been," Snyder said Wednesday.

He knows of a number of his co-workers in Burt Hill's Butler architectural office have been sick in the past few days with something similar.

"At first, you do examine what you've eaten (thinking possible food poisoning), but after talking to our doctor, our symptoms fit to a T with the stomach flu," Snyder said.

On its Web site, the state Department of Health also refers to the norovirus as viral gastroenteritis or "stomach flu."

"Norovirus comes from a fecal-oral transmission (fecal matter containing the virus entering a healthy person through the mouth) and it only takes a small dose to get sick, such as touching a contaminated handle on a serving spoon and then eating finger foods," Dr. McGill said.

This type of gastrointestinal illness has an incubation period of 12 to 60 hours, according to the Department of Health.

McGill said the symptoms — nausea, stomach cramping, vomiting and diarrhea — last between two and seven days.

As with all gastrointestinal illnesses, those who are sick must be careful not to become dehydrated. McGill said all fluids are fine, but an occasional fluid with a little salt in it, such as chicken noodle soup, is good.

Hand washing is the key to avoiding this type illness, McGill said. And he recommended after a person washes his or her hands, he or she should to turn off tap handles using a paper towel.

"Wash your hands, leave the water running, get a towel, dry your hands and then turn off the handle with the towel. You don't know what's on those handles," he said.

Dr. McGill said a similar outbreak occurred in the region last year, right in the middle of the flu season. While norovirus is gastrointestinal, influenza or the flu is a respiratory illness — nose, throat and lungs.

He said the hospital has had a few flu cases come in, but that it has been a relatively quiet flu season, which stretches from October to May.

"The vaccine this year has a good handle on the strains that are out there," McGill said.

Norovirus and influenza are both circulating through the region, but they are different diseases.<B>Norovirus</B>Norovirus symptoms often begin suddenly and can include nausea, stomach cramping, vomiting and diarrhea, and it is spread when fecal matter, no matter how small, is ingested. Most people normally recover within 12 to 60 hours.Because norovirus is contagious, sudden outbreaks can result when people bring the infection into facilities such as hospitals, residential and nursing homes and schools. No one who has suffered from vomiting and diarrhea should visit or work in crowded places until they have been completely free from symptoms for at least 48 hours.The spread of norovirus can be prevented by simple guidelines:• Frequently wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom and changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food.• Anyone ill with diarrhea should not prepare food for other people.• Carefully wash fruits and vegetables.• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces including toilets immediately after an episode of diarrhea or vomiting.• Wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of diarrhea or vomiting.<B>Influenza</B>Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract — nose, throat, and lungs. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:• Fever• Headache• Tiredness• Dry cough• Sore throat• Nasal congestion• Body achesHere are some flu prevention tips:• Wash your hands with soap and warm water before and following food preparation, before eating and after using restrooms or changing diapers.• Be careful what you touch.• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.• Put your used tissue in the waste basket.• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.• Get plenty of rest, eat properly, and dress appropriately for the weather.• When ill, prevent the spread of germs by staying home from school or the workplace.The flu season stretches from October to May and it is not too late to get a flu vaccine.Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health