The deadly flu is starting to kick Southeastern Michigan in the teeth.
Robin Erb of the Detroit Free Press reports that throngs of folks are cramming emergency rooms to treat symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing and body aches, and at least four adults have died in Washtenaw County.
On top of that, 78 residents were hospitalized in the past week in the county — nearly as many that were hospitalized between September 2009 through January 2010, the height of a second wave of H1N1 cases, the paper reports.
"I've been tracking this for years," says Laura Bauman, an epidemiologist with the county health department. "It's the most intense transmission of this I've ever seen."
The paper reports that three out of four hospitalized patients in Washtenaw County were 65 years and older.
The Freep reports that Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit has limited visitors to parents, legal guardians and those 18 and older.
"We are swamped. ... Everyone is," said Dr. Richard Reidy, an emergency room doctor at McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mt. Clemens told the Freep. "Unfortunately, the flu season is just starting to ramp up. "
The Center for Disease Control reports that 15 children around the country have died from complications of the flu, which has spread widely in 36 states so far.
Here's some information from the Center for Disease Control:
How do I know if I have the flu?
You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:
- fever*
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
- sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
* Not everyone with flu has fever.
What should I do if I get sick?
Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.
If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are in a high risk group, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider (doctor, physician’s assistant, etc.).
Certain people are at high risk of serious flu-related complications (including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions) and this is true both for seasonal flu and novel flu virus infections. (For a full list of people at high risk of flu-related complications, see People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related Complications). If you are in a high risk group and develop flu symptoms, it’s best for you to contact your doctor. Remind them about your high risk status for flu.
Health care providers will determine whether influenza testing and treatment are needed. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs that can treat the flu. These drugs work better for treatment the sooner they are started.
Do I need to go the emergency room if I am only a little sick?
No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill.
If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.
What are the emergency warning signs of flu?
In children:
- 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
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
- In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has any of these signs:
- Being unable to eat
- Has trouble breathing
- Has no tears when crying
- Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal
- In adults
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Are there medicines to treat the flu?
Yes. There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating the flu called “antivirals.” These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. See Treatment - Antiviral Drugs for more information.
How long should I stay home if I’m sick?
CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
What should I do while I’m sick?
Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.
