Talk of the Town - Whitley County

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One of the most confusing aspects of the current flu season is determining when to seek treatment and where to go. In order to help members of our community better understand the symptoms and need for treatment, the Emergency Department staff at Parkview Whitley Hospital are offering some guidelines.
For people with flu symptoms, Parkview Whitley Hospital is offering the following guidelines to help you determine if a trip to the hospital is necessary.
Symptoms of H1N1 influenza can include fever of more than 100°F, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Some people are also experiencing diarrhea and vomiting. Those at highest risk for serious complications from the flu include children under age 5, pregnant women, adults 65 and older and people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or asthma. These people should contact their doctor or visit an urgent care clinic if flu symptoms develop.
If you get sick with flu symptoms and you are in a high-risk group for complications or are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice.
People who are not in the high-risk categories and who have only mild symptoms for which they would not ordinarily seek medical care do not need to do so. They should stay home and call a doctor if they have any questions.
People should visit an emergency room immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms:

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Vomiting for more than four hours

Fever in a child who is too quiet and less active than normal

Severe neck stiffness

Drowsiness, confusion, disorientation or difficulty being roused

Convulsions

No urination for 12 hours

Fever in an infant under 3 months old (100.2°F or greater)
Everyone is reminded that to help prevent the spread of the flu, there are several things you can do, including:

Staying home from work, school and errands when you are sick

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze

Additional information is available at Parkview Health’s website, www.parkview.com; Fight the Flu website, www.fighttheflu.org, and at the Centers for Disease Control website, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.