Wednesday, January 7, 2004
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Wednesday, January 7, 2004 |
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Patients flood emergency departments as flu season hits Fayette With the entire metro Atlanta area battling winter illnesses including the flu and colds, it is important to recognize symptoms and understand treatment options. Fayette Community Hospital, which is experiencing an extremely high volume of Emergency Department patients, has provided the following information for area residents. Typically, the flu often starts like a cold with a sore throat or runny nose — but it soon becomes much worse, and you realize something more than a cold has hit you. Your primary care doctor will be able to tell you if you have a condition that requires treatment, or if bedrest and fluids are all you need to get better. Most cases run their course in one to two weeks; however, life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia in the elderly or people with chronic illnesses, are possible. “There are emergency warning signs related to the flu that require urgent medical attention,” said Merry Heath, director of emergency services at FCH. According to the CDC, the following are signs people should be aware of and seek medical attention for: high or prolonged fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, bluish skin color, confusion or fainting, severe or persistent vomiting. For a child, additional signs may include not drinking enough fluids, changes in mental status (i.e., not waking up, not interacting, extreme irritability, or seizures), worsening of underlying chronic conditions (for example, diabetes). If your doctor is not available and you need to visit the Emergency Department, here are helpful tips that may help expedite the Emergency Department process: • Know your medical history (recent illnesses, symptoms and allergies). • Know what medications you take and the dosage. • Be precise and direct when talking to the staff and doctor about the reason you are in need of medical assistance. • Ask questions — write them down, if necessary — to remember all that you want to ask the doctor. • Again, if possible, communicate with your family doctor before going to the Emergency Department. Fayette Community Hospital is experiencing lengthy wait times but has a triage process in place to prioritize patients who need the most immediate care. While the Emergency Department’s normal volume approximates 85 visitors a day, for the past several weeks, Fayette Community Hospital has seen more than 135 patients a day. With this in mind, patients may expect to encounter a longer-than-average visit to the Emergency Department (open 24 hours/7 days at the Hospital’s main campus) or at the Hospital’s Minor Emergency Care Center, open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 105 Yorktown Drive in Fayetteville. Common flu symptoms may include high fever, headache, tiredness/weakness, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, or body aches. If you develop flu-like symptoms, but do not have an underlying medical condition, consider taking over the counter medications; stay home and avoid contact with other people; and cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze to protect others from your germs. Some of the complications caused by the flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Children also may get sinus and ear infections, and those ages six to 23 months are at increased risk for influenza-related hospitalization.
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