This is upsetting we all know access to care is limited and doctor's offices are overwhelmed.
Hospital ER rooms not meant for treating flu
By Jim Fortenberry
7:54 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The first thing on many parents? minds right now is how to protect their children from the flu. And, time after time, parents are bringing children with flu symptoms to the emergency room when it?s not an emergency.
While H1N1 (swine) flu is a new strain, at present it is acting just like a mild-to-moderate case of the flu with the same type of outcomes as seasonal influenza. The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Parents should take away that H1N1 label and name, and think of this as the flu. Think of it this way, ?If this was the regular flu, would you be going to the emergency department?? The exception would be for children with the flu who also have underlying chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, or chronic lung disease. You should consult with your family doctor in those situations.
The great majority of children don?t have a level of illness that needs medication or requires hospitalization and can be managed with over-the-counter symptom treatments. Routine cases of the flu are best handled by a child?s pediatrician. It may not even be necessary to make a health care visit.
To help decide, parents can visit the Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta online flu assessment guide at www.choa.org/ecall. This is an interactive Web guide to help parents determine best next steps. Or, parents can call 404-785-0000 for guidance through a phone tree flu assessment.
The best way to protect children is through vaccines. New vaccines are made each year for the types of flu that world experts think will be around that year. Children need a new vaccine each year. Seasonal flu vaccines are given in September or October and are advised for all children from 6 months to 19 years of age.
This year, there will be an additional vaccine available for the H1N1 strain of flu as well. In late August, physician/researchers at Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University began vaccinating children in a clinical trial testing an investigational H1N1 vaccine along with the seasonal flu vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available mid-October.
In addition to receiving the appropriate vaccines, the best way to prevent spread is by staying away from others when sick, performing frequent hand hygiene and covering your coughs and sneezes.
Dr. Jim Fortenberry is pediatrician-in-chief at Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/hospital-er-rooms-not-140169.html
Hospital ER rooms not meant for treating flu
By Jim Fortenberry
7:54 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The first thing on many parents? minds right now is how to protect their children from the flu. And, time after time, parents are bringing children with flu symptoms to the emergency room when it?s not an emergency.
While H1N1 (swine) flu is a new strain, at present it is acting just like a mild-to-moderate case of the flu with the same type of outcomes as seasonal influenza. The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Parents should take away that H1N1 label and name, and think of this as the flu. Think of it this way, ?If this was the regular flu, would you be going to the emergency department?? The exception would be for children with the flu who also have underlying chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, or chronic lung disease. You should consult with your family doctor in those situations.
The great majority of children don?t have a level of illness that needs medication or requires hospitalization and can be managed with over-the-counter symptom treatments. Routine cases of the flu are best handled by a child?s pediatrician. It may not even be necessary to make a health care visit.
To help decide, parents can visit the Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta online flu assessment guide at www.choa.org/ecall. This is an interactive Web guide to help parents determine best next steps. Or, parents can call 404-785-0000 for guidance through a phone tree flu assessment.
The best way to protect children is through vaccines. New vaccines are made each year for the types of flu that world experts think will be around that year. Children need a new vaccine each year. Seasonal flu vaccines are given in September or October and are advised for all children from 6 months to 19 years of age.
This year, there will be an additional vaccine available for the H1N1 strain of flu as well. In late August, physician/researchers at Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University began vaccinating children in a clinical trial testing an investigational H1N1 vaccine along with the seasonal flu vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available mid-October.
In addition to receiving the appropriate vaccines, the best way to prevent spread is by staying away from others when sick, performing frequent hand hygiene and covering your coughs and sneezes.
Dr. Jim Fortenberry is pediatrician-in-chief at Children?s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/hospital-er-rooms-not-140169.html
