INDIANAPOLIS — A stomach illness is making the rounds in central Indiana, closing a Muncie school after dozens of students fell ill.immediate care centers and emergency rooms have been swamped with patients complaining of fever, vomiting and diarrhea, 6News’ Stacia Matthews reported.St. Lawrence School closed Friday after more than half of the students reported similar symptoms.”We sanitized the entire school with a bleach solution,” said Principal Lynn Ranieri. “Today, only seven students called in sick.”Gastroenteritis, as it’s officially known, can’t be treated with drugs or antibiotics, but must simply run its course.”We’ve seen a lot of kids coming in with vomiting, usually lasting 24 hours. they may complain of fever and some kids are getting diarrhea,” said pediatrician Dr. Alex Sleder with Community Health Network.With fluids and rest, vomiting can subside within 24 hours, but diarrhea usually lasts between five to seven days, Sleder said.to keep from getting sick, experts advise people wash their hands, especially when they’re out in public.”It’s hard to tell how much virus it takes (to get sick), but it’s enough that you don’t even know you’re touching something that’s soiled,” said Shawn Richards with the Indiana State Department of Health.”People don’t think about it when they are at the store, the shopping cart, just in the elevator,” Sleder said. “You have to be wary of where you are and your environment.”Experts also stress that people don’t ever become immune to the stomach illness, so prevention is key to keep from getting it again.
Hoosiers Hit Hard By Stomach Illness
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