It's worse than your average tummy ache. The stomach bug that has local doctor's offices packed and school nurses busy is spreading quickly throughout Abilene.
Vomiting and diarrhea are the two main symptoms of the stomach virus. Local doctors say they are seeing high numbers of patients with complaints of the virus symptoms, and many A.I.S.D. schools are as well.
School nurse Debra McCracken said, "Germs are on pencils, crayons, papers that they pass back and forth...especially if they cough on their hands and don't get up and wash them... "
While you were probably taught to share growing up and may have taught your kids the same, now is not the time to abide by the rule. Experts say the virus can be passed quite easily.
"I preach hand-washing. The teachers are always on hand-washing. We have teachers that stand at their doors with the little pump dispensers to try and keep the germs at arms length...We try to teach them as much hands off of each other and each others' things as we can," said McCracken.
The stomach virus is not the only one to worry about. Doctors say another virus going around that looks a lot like the flu. According to the City of Abilene, flu numbers are also climbing.
