ALBANY, GA --
The Southwest Georgia Public Health Office is warning people about the oncoming Norovirus, a highly contagious two-to-three day stomach bug that is spreading around the area.

Epidemiologist Jacqueline Jenkins says the virus can spread very quickly and causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Jenkins says the elderly and younger populations are most at risk for the virus and need to be careful of becoming dehydrated if they get sick.

The easiest way to prevent the spread of the Norovirus is to frequently wash your hands and clean surfaces with disinfectant or bleach says Jenkins.

If you do contract the bug, doctors say it's best to stay home because it can be passed around your class or workspace and make its way around more than once.

Jenkins says if you do get the virus a second time, it's worse than the first so fight the urge to work through it and take a few days off.

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