There is never a good time to be sick, but when everyone in the house is throwing up on Christmas Eve the best things Santa can bring are clear liquids and crackers. We know, that wasn't on your list!

Family Medicine Physicians Assistant Patrick Dreis says he has seen a lot of cases of stomach flu at the Avera Big Stone City Clinic. He says, "You see a lot of kids come in with it and them a few days later their parents are coming down with it. The more you are around people the more you are sharing germs and spreading germs."

Dreis says with gastroenteritis comes vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, chills and sometimes a mild fever and more than likely you will feel badly for 3 to 5 days. He says the biggest problem is getting dehydrated.

Dreis says, "If your kids are thirsty and just unable to drink because they are vomiting a lot, that's kind of a sign they are getting dehydrated or if they are listless and just acting like their normal self chances are they aren't doing well. Babies in particular, if they are not tearing up when they cry, it's a good sign of dehydration and you need to get them in to the doctor's office to re-hydrate with an IV.

The P.A. says it's imperative you push the fluids. For kids he recommends products like pedialite. For the adults, try sports drinks with electrolytes but dilute it with water so it will be easier on your stomach.

Overall, Dreis says pay attention to your body, if you are just not feeling like yourself, get in to the doctor's office. He says that's what they're there for.  Last year several patients had to be hooked up to IV's at the clinic or in the hospital because they were dehydrated.  Luckily, he says that hasn't been the case so far this year.

For more information visit www.avera.org