Children's Healthcare Has New Flu Rules
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/Childrens_Healthcare_Has_New_Flu_Rules_091609
Updated: Wednesday, 16 Sep 2009, 6:49 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 16 Sep 2009, 5:35 PM EDT
* Beth Galvin Beth Galvin
* Edited By: Leigha Baugham | myfoxatlanta.com
ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - The H1N1 flu has doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta very busy. Over the last few weeks, the number of pediatric emergency visits doubled at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's three emergency rooms. Hospital officials are now telling some visitors to stay away for now.
Pediatricians at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta say the surge in cases started the week after school began. One doctor said most children will do fine having their flu symptoms treated at home, but many parents are on edge.
Four-year-old Angelica Maio was feeling so miserable Wednesday, it was painful just to sit up. Maio's mother, Amanda, said she took the West End Pre-K student to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egelston's emergency room after the child developed a headache, sore throat and 103 degree fever.
"I saw the fever and I said we're going to the hospital. I can't take a chance with my baby," said Maio.
Emergency physician Dr. Dallen Randolph said the hospital was swamped with young flu patients.
Dr. Randolph said it wasn't uncommon to have parents lining the walls of the emergency department worried.
Children's Healthcare's three emergency rooms each usually treat an average of 150 children a day. For the last month, they've been seeing double that number, about 300 to 400 kids a day. About 70 percent of the young patients complain of flu symptoms.
To try and slow the spread of the H1N1 virus, Children's Healthcare officials are now restricting who can visit the hospitals.
Now, no visitors under 12 are allowed and hospital staff is asking parents of patients to keep health children at home. The hospital is also limiting visitors to immediate members.
Dr. Jim Fortenberry, Children's Healthcare's pediatrician in charge, said the restrictions will help protect both patients and family members.
"We wanted to protect the children in the hospital who have the flu," said Dr. Fortenberry.
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/Childrens_Healthcare_Has_New_Flu_Rules_091609
Updated: Wednesday, 16 Sep 2009, 6:49 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 16 Sep 2009, 5:35 PM EDT
* Beth Galvin Beth Galvin
* Edited By: Leigha Baugham | myfoxatlanta.com
ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - The H1N1 flu has doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta very busy. Over the last few weeks, the number of pediatric emergency visits doubled at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's three emergency rooms. Hospital officials are now telling some visitors to stay away for now.
Pediatricians at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta say the surge in cases started the week after school began. One doctor said most children will do fine having their flu symptoms treated at home, but many parents are on edge.
Four-year-old Angelica Maio was feeling so miserable Wednesday, it was painful just to sit up. Maio's mother, Amanda, said she took the West End Pre-K student to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egelston's emergency room after the child developed a headache, sore throat and 103 degree fever.
"I saw the fever and I said we're going to the hospital. I can't take a chance with my baby," said Maio.
Emergency physician Dr. Dallen Randolph said the hospital was swamped with young flu patients.
Dr. Randolph said it wasn't uncommon to have parents lining the walls of the emergency department worried.
Children's Healthcare's three emergency rooms each usually treat an average of 150 children a day. For the last month, they've been seeing double that number, about 300 to 400 kids a day. About 70 percent of the young patients complain of flu symptoms.
To try and slow the spread of the H1N1 virus, Children's Healthcare officials are now restricting who can visit the hospitals.
Now, no visitors under 12 are allowed and hospital staff is asking parents of patients to keep health children at home. The hospital is also limiting visitors to immediate members.
Dr. Jim Fortenberry, Children's Healthcare's pediatrician in charge, said the restrictions will help protect both patients and family members.
"We wanted to protect the children in the hospital who have the flu," said Dr. Fortenberry.
