Eight Outbreaks of Norovirus - the Winter Vomiting Bug - Reported in St. Louis County

Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains.

Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as thestomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. According to St. Louis County Health Department Spokesman John Shelton, there are eight outbreaks of the norovirus in the St. Louis County area. Shelton points out that an outbreak can be just five cases of a less common disease, like …

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Ask the Patch Pro: Local Pediatricians Answer Your Questions

Our panel of experts are waiting in the comments to answer your questions about health in the latest installment of Ask the Patch Pro.

It's time for another edition of Ask the Patch Pro, where each week we tackle a different topic and open up the comments section for questions. Our team of experts stop in to help you out and answer your questions. This week, with flu season upon us, Patch wants to help find the answers to questions about your kids' health this week, but we needed some help. We've compiled a team of experts to help us out. Meet the experts: If you consider yourself a local expert and would like to be added to the list, let us know! jordan.lanham@patch.com

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Matt B.

2:35 am on Monday, November 12, 2012

I really appreciate all the feedback.. What should i do now? I've started to develop a 2nd bump on my left foot. Its on the left side of the foot just about 2 inches behind the "big" or "first" toe(side of the foot). I work for a company that doesn't offer me insurance. Where do i go from here? The '"lump" or "bump" on my right leg just to the lower left of the knee does not seem to be getting …   more ›

Ask the Patch Pro: Seeking Local Pediatricians

Patch is looking for experts who can talk kids health and offer their expertise this week.

With flu season upon us, Patch wants to help find the answers to questions about your kids' health this week, but we need a little help. In the latest edition of "Ask the Patch Pro" we need local experts who can answer readers' questions and offer advice. If you are a local pediatrician or consider yourself an expert and can answer these questions and more, let us know two ways. One: You can leave a comment on this post. Two: You can send an email to jordan.lanham@patch.com. We need experts to answer questions on Thursday, Nov. 8.  Curious as to what we are looking for? Take a look at some of our previous Patch Pro posts: So what do you say, who wants to be our expert?

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Patch Picks

Creve Coeur Locations Still Offering Flu Shots

It is not too late to get your flu shot. The season can last until early Spring. Patch Picks has the medical facilities still offering the vaccine.

 Flu season typically begins in late fall and peaks in mid-to-late winter, usually November and continuing through April. Here are the places where you can still get your flu shots in Creve Coeur. Walgreens Flu shots are available  24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No appointments are necessary and you can speed up your check in by filling out the Vaccine Record Administration form. Walgreens offers vaccines for patients two years of age and older. The out of pocket cost for the vaccine is $29.99 and most insurance plans are accepted. St. Luke's Urgent Care Facility Seasonal flu shots are available for ages 9 and up. Each vaccine is preservative-free. The out of pocket cost of the vaccine is $25, most insurance plans and Medicare Part B is …

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