http://nwahomepage.com/content/fulltext_news?cid=120431
Emergency Room Seasonal & Swine Flu surge
Reported by: Pete Thompson
Tuesday, Sep 15, 2009 @05:52pm
Tiffany Coulter says her baby registered a 101 degree fever Monday night; concerned about swine flu she came to Arkansas Children's hospital ER Tuesday morning.
Just moments after she arrived hospital staff gave Coulter and her one-year-old baby Keshun masks to wear.
"I'm kind of scared," says Coulter, "I know a couple of kids died. And i'm like, is my baby one of them...I'm just really scared right now."
Nursing director Lori Burress says the emergency room is overwhelmed with parents bringing their children in with flu-like symptoms.
They've filled up two waiting rooms, hallways and even pulled out beds from surgical rooms. And the real flu season hasn't even begun.
"We're fearful what's gonna happen when the season flu comes around," says Burress.
Doctors say the large gathering of patients at the ER can also be very contagious for children who are not already infected.
"If at all an emergency visit should be avoided," says Dr. David McLario.
Dr. McLario says parents should contact their physicians first before they come to the ER. He also says the swine flu may have less virulent than the seasonal flu we see this year.
Emergency Room Seasonal & Swine Flu surge
Reported by: Pete Thompson
Tuesday, Sep 15, 2009 @05:52pm
Tiffany Coulter says her baby registered a 101 degree fever Monday night; concerned about swine flu she came to Arkansas Children's hospital ER Tuesday morning.
Just moments after she arrived hospital staff gave Coulter and her one-year-old baby Keshun masks to wear.
"I'm kind of scared," says Coulter, "I know a couple of kids died. And i'm like, is my baby one of them...I'm just really scared right now."
Nursing director Lori Burress says the emergency room is overwhelmed with parents bringing their children in with flu-like symptoms.
They've filled up two waiting rooms, hallways and even pulled out beds from surgical rooms. And the real flu season hasn't even begun.
"We're fearful what's gonna happen when the season flu comes around," says Burress.
Doctors say the large gathering of patients at the ER can also be very contagious for children who are not already infected.
"If at all an emergency visit should be avoided," says Dr. David McLario.
Dr. McLario says parents should contact their physicians first before they come to the ER. He also says the swine flu may have less virulent than the seasonal flu we see this year.