Norovirus cases, respiratory illnesses on the rise in Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Three respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, the flu, and RSV, plus norovirus, are causing the Wisconsin DHS to keep a close watch on hospitals and how quickly they may be filling up.
Norovirus outbreaks are being reported around the country. The highly contagious stomach bug is contributing to an elevated number of patients seeking emergency room care.
"I'm feeling a lot better, just very tired," said Jennie Sweede of Milwaukee.
On New Year's Eve, Jennie Sweede had friends over, but the next day, something wasn't quite right.
"I started feeling really, really nauseous. So, I took some Pepto Bismol, and I was like 'I just need to go to bed,'" said Sweede.
Hours later, Sweede woke up with a violent stomachache.
"I started throwing up and I kept throwing up I'd say 15 hours straight. What scared me the most and which is why I ended up calling my parents was because I had these insane stomach cramps that I've never ever felt before," said Sweede.
Stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, chills, muscle aches and fatigue are common symptoms of norovirus.
"It could have a lot of impact especially on the health care systems, hospitals," said Dr. Thomas Haupt, respiratory and epidemiologist specialist with Wisconsin DHS.
Dr. Thomas Haupt says increased norovirus activity is contributing to additional traffic into emergency departments. These were the wait times Wednesday evening for Froedtert:
- 210 minutes in Oak Creek
- 215 minutes in Milwaukee
- 160 minutes in Menomonee Falls
"It looks like it will continue to be a bad year with all the respiratory viruses that are going around in addition to the significant increase in norovirus that we are seeing in Wisconsin and pretty much throughout the country as well," said Dr. Haupt.
December saw twice as many norovirus cases in the country compared with one year ago according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wisconsin DHS doesn't keep records on norovirus, but Dr. Haupt says they are aware cases are up in Wisconsin, too.
"Above all, stay home if you don't have to go out and you are sick," said Dr. Haupt.
A reminder that hand sanitizer doesn't work on norovirus. Hand washing with soap and water does.
Norovirus cases, respiratory illnesses on the rise in Wisconsin