7 Healthcast: Intense illness

Peggy Givans is in the emergency department at Massachusetts General Hospital. She hasn't been feeling well for a couple of days.

"Nausea, lightheadedness, vomiting," Peggy said.

And Peggy isn't the only one feeling this way.

"We certainly have seen an increase in the number of patients coming into the emergency department with vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration," said Dr. Alasdair Conn, of Massachusetts General Hospital.

And so are other Boston hospitals. Dr. Anita Barry of the Boston Public Health Commission says the increase in cases began last month.

"We were seeing an average of 72 visits a day compared to only 60 visits a day a year ago in December of 2005, and that's a significant increase," Dr. Barry said.

Emergency doctor Alasdair Conn says it's a norovirus causing gastroenteritis or stomach flu in people.

The virus is contagious. You can become infected from eating food contaminated with the virus, touching a contaminated surface and then putting your hands in your mouth or having direct contact with an infected person.

Fortunately the norovirus isn't serious in most people.

"Patients will get better in 48 hours, though they may still be infectious for another 72 hours after that," Dr. Conn said.

The norovirus is being seen all across the country. The good news is that the Boston Public Health Commission says the number of cases coming into local ERs are decreasing. The best way to protect yourself is through frequent hand washing, and if you are sick, stay home to avoid spreading the virus.