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Source: http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/doctors-report-surge-in-flu-cases-1.1314287
Doctors report surge in flu cases
By JOY BLACKBURN (Daily News Staff)
Published: May 12, 2012
Some St. Thomas physicians have seen an upswing in influenza cases during the last week or two at their practices - an oddity for this time of year.
Dr. James Clayton of Red Hook Family Practice said that a little more than a week ago, doctors at the practice started seeing more patients coming in with viral illnesses than was typical for this time of year.
Initially, doctors were not testing for influenza, because flu generally peaks during the winter months.
But with patients complaining of classic influenza symptoms - sudden onset of high fever, headaches, body aches and a dry cough - doctors decided to do the testing, Clayton said.
"As it turns out, what we've been seeing is influenza," Clayton said. "It's unusual to see an outbreak of flu this time of year."
As of mid-week this past week, doctors at the practice had seen five confirmed cases of influenza - and probably five more that were not tested, he said.
"That's quite significant," he said, noting that even during the winter months this year, Red Hook Family Practice saw only a very few, isolated cases of influenza. "Now, it's occurring on a daily basis."
Clayton said that it is not yet clear whether this will be a trend or whether it will die down in a couple of weeks.
"We just don't have enough data yet," he said.
Clayton said he discussed the flu cases with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because of the unusual time of year.
Doctors report surge in flu cases
By JOY BLACKBURN (Daily News Staff)
Published: May 12, 2012
Some St. Thomas physicians have seen an upswing in influenza cases during the last week or two at their practices - an oddity for this time of year.
Dr. James Clayton of Red Hook Family Practice said that a little more than a week ago, doctors at the practice started seeing more patients coming in with viral illnesses than was typical for this time of year.
Initially, doctors were not testing for influenza, because flu generally peaks during the winter months.
But with patients complaining of classic influenza symptoms - sudden onset of high fever, headaches, body aches and a dry cough - doctors decided to do the testing, Clayton said.
"As it turns out, what we've been seeing is influenza," Clayton said. "It's unusual to see an outbreak of flu this time of year."
As of mid-week this past week, doctors at the practice had seen five confirmed cases of influenza - and probably five more that were not tested, he said.
"That's quite significant," he said, noting that even during the winter months this year, Red Hook Family Practice saw only a very few, isolated cases of influenza. "Now, it's occurring on a daily basis."
Clayton said that it is not yet clear whether this will be a trend or whether it will die down in a couple of weeks.
"We just don't have enough data yet," he said.
Clayton said he discussed the flu cases with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because of the unusual time of year.