A relatively new strain of the stomach flu is rearing its head in Illinois. Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold says the "Sydney" strain of the virus comes on quickly and causes things like vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and dehydration.
Arnold says the stomach virus could last up to three days. It actually shows up all year long but is most prevalent between November and April.
Nearly half of the U.S. is reporting flu activity and the number of cases is rising. The Center for Disease Control reports that 25 states have already reported cases. The number has risen rapidly in the past two weeks, leading doctors to believe the flu virus will continue to spread quickly this season. The CDC says six children have died from the flu this season, and while the agency doesn't record adult deaths, dozens have been reported around the country.