Physicians seeing more flu, concerns

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A mother cuddles her infant as she speaks with a neighbor in the lineup Thursday for H1N1 flu shots by the Grundy County Health Department. The lineup filled the hallway and spectator section in the County Administration Center’s board room, and spilled outside to the driveway. (Herald Photo by Jo Ann Hustis)

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With the arrival of flu season, Morris Hospital’s Emergency Room and both Immediate Care locations are seeing increased numbers of patients with flu symptoms.

In fact, Gail Steele, an infectious disease prevention specialist with Morris Hospital, said all of its facilities have seen an increase in patients complaining of flu-like symptoms.

"I don't have exact counts, but our two Immediate Care offices, in Morris and Channahon, and the Emergency Room, as well as our physician offices, are seeing increases," she said.

For people with respiratory problems, masks are available in the offices, as well as hand sanitizers, but that is no different than in past years.

The flu season has started earlier this year than normal, Steele said. Usually it starts later but can go into the spring.

"That's the million dollar question, how long this will last, whether it will end earlier?" she said.

Dr. Rahul Deepankar of the Riverside Medical Center's West Campus in Coal City said they are also busy seeing patients concerned about the flu.

"People are sensitive to the problem of the H1N1 flu," he said, "but so far (through Oct. 27) we have only seen people with the seasonal flu."

Dr. Deepankar said the staff at Riverside has received the vaccine for H1N1 flu.

"This is an airborne illness and we are with people in a small room with no windows," he said.

"Once more vaccine becomes available, we will provide it for our patients and the public, but unfortunately doctors don't regulate it, that is national policy," he said.

Dr. Depankar said if a patient with the flu comes in during the first 20 to 30 hours, an anti-viral like Tamiflu can help. However, for people who wait three, four or five days, giving them an antiviral is a waste of money.

Anyone who comes into Riverside that appears to be ill is given a mask and allowed to sit in a separate area.

For most people with flu-like symptoms, the recommendation is to stay home and keep away from other people as much as possible.

Anyone who develops problems breathing should seek medical care immediately.

Janet Long of Morris Hospital said information on H1N1 flu has been available since April by calling the hospital. To listen to a telephone recording with H1N1 flu information, call Morris Hospital at (815) 942-2932 and press 1.

Information is also available on Morris Hospital’s Web site, www.morrishospital.org, including links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

Physicians at Morris Hospital encourage individuals who become sick with flu symptoms to follow the recommendations provided by the CDC.

“The CDC Web site is a great resource and clearly explains what to do if you get sick,” says Dr. John Bolden, infectious disease physician on the medical staff at Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers.

“Essentially, CDC advises people who get sick with flu-like symptoms to stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to get medical care. Most people with H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs. The same is true of seasonal flu.”

According to Dr. Bolden, seasonal flu and H1N1 flu have similar symptoms, which may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

The CDC also recommends individuals with flu symptoms stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.
 
The National Institutes of Health recommends contacting a physician if fever occurs in infants younger than 3 months. For infants 3 to 12 months, a physician should be contacted if fever is 102.2 or higher. Fevers that last longer than 24 to 48 hours in children 2 and under or 48 to 72 hours in children older than 2 and adults also warrants a call to a physician.
 
While most people with flu have mild illness, certain people are more susceptible to complications from the flu and should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get flu symptoms.

This includes children younger than 5, and especially children younger than 2 years old; people 65 and older; pregnant women; and people who have cancer, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorder, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders and weakened immune systems.

For individuals who do develop flu symptoms, the CDC also advises that the emergency room should be used only for those who are very sick, and individuals should not go to the emergency room if they are mildly ill.

“At this time, CDC is advising hospitals to perform H1N1 flu tests only on individuals who are at high risk for flu complications,” says Dr. Mark Gibson, board certified emergency medicine physician on the medical staff at Morris Hospital.

“In most cases, the best treatment for the flu is staying home and getting plenty of rest, drinking clear fluids to keep from getting dehydrated, and taking over-the-counter remedies such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever or aches.”

Dr. Gibson also pointed out the general warning signs of medical emergencies.

In children, signs of a medical emergency include fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, fever with a rash, or flu-like symptoms that get better but then return with a fever and worse cough.

In adults, the warning signs of a medical emergency include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, confusion, and severe or persistent vomiting.

“Any of these symptoms are considered a medical emergency and require prompt treatment in an emergency room,” he says.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has a hotline available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, where operators are available to answer basic, non-medical questions about the flu and refer callers to additional information sources. The Illinois Department of Public Health’s hotline number is 866-848-2094.

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers reminds everyone to practice the following measures, which are always recommended to help prevent the spread of germs:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throw away the tissue in the trash.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based band cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze.
 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

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