SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. -- A violent stomach bug is sweeping across the Alleghenies and the flu shot doesn't protect against it. According to doctors, it's not a normal respiratory flu, it's an intestinal bug that reeked havoc on holiday plans around the region and it doesn't seem to be slowing up.

"Our entire Christmas was a bust," said Gloria Bafile of Windber. "We're going to have Christmas in July actually."

Bafile is changing her holiday plans because her family, like many others, got hit hard by a powerful stomach bug that continues to leave people running for the bathroom.

"The symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, a low fever and aches," said Dr. James Stewart with Windber Medical Center.

The virus spreads easily he said. In fact, out of Gloria's 19 family members, 13 of them got sick over Christmas.

Stewart said the virus last 12 to 24 hours and that it pretty much has to run its course. He tells people don't bother going to a hospital for the virus, unless it's a real emergency.

As for Gloria, she's looking at the positive.

"The only bright side is that it's probably the best way to start a diet in January," she joked. "It was nasty. It was just really nasty."

Stewart said the best way to avoid the virus is to stay away from those who are infected and wash your hands often.