ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 1996 TAG: 9604110033
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
Wash your hands.
That age-old advice comes from Dr. Jody Hershey, director of the New River District of the state Health Department.
Hershey is trying to spread the word to prevent a gastro-intestinal virus from spreading to any more children in the New River Valley.
The infection, called a rotavirus, causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and afflicts young children most often.
"I had one doctor in Pulaski call to say he's seen 30 or 40 children in the last few days [for the virus]," Hershey said. Doctors in the area have had to admit some children to the hospital because they had become so dehydrated from the illness.
Though the virus usually is not serious - it will generally clear up in about five days - Hershey said there are easy measures to prevent picking up the virus:
* Don't share eating and drinking utensils or toothbrushes.
* Be careful with diapers. Use waterproof pants over cloth diapers and fold disposable diapers toward the inside using tape to secure it.
* Disinfect toys and areas where children play daily.
* And don't forget: wash those hands.
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