By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Doctors’ offices around the Delaware Valley are packed with people suffering from aches, fevers, and flu-like symptoms. While many do have the flu, there are other viruses making the rounds.

This year’s flu season has hit early and hard, according to Dr. Richard Tepper, chief of infectious diseases at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Montgomery County, Pa.

But he says there are also “noroviruses” showing up in large numbers in our area.

“The flu is much more of a respiratory virus,” he explains, “sore throat, coughing, nasal congestion, headache. Norovirus starts with sudden onset of vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea. And you don’t really see a respiratory component.”

With both, Tepper advises, you should stay home and rest, drink plenty of fluids, and wash your hands a lot — and anything you touched — to avoid spreading the ailment to others.