The spike in flu cases has lead one Kane County hospital to put special restrictions in place. Presence Mercy Medical Center in Aurora began initiating age restricted visitor guidelines and conducting flu symptom checks upon entry starting March 1. Patients with flu-like symptoms in the Emergency Department and outpatient waiting areas will be segregated and provided masks for germ control, according to a news release.
“Over the past two weeks we have seen a significant spike in influenza-like-illness in our Emergency Department,” said Laura Marconnet, BSN, RN, Infection Control Manager. “For the well-being of our patients, visitors and staff it is important to initiate these restrictions and policies.”
>>> More on Patch: Flu Restrictions at Presence Mercy Medical Center
It's a late start for this year's flu season as cases typically spiking in late January and early February. Up until recent weeks it had been a mild flu season, Uche Onwuta with the Kane County Health Department, told NBC Chicago. Kane County health officials told NBC Chicago the number of flu-related emergency visits have more than tripled in a month.
It's not clear what has caused the rise in cases and the flu bug in recent weeks has affected a wide range of ages, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
"There's never a time where you can say 'we're out of it,' that's why we always encourage vaccination," Onwuta told ABC 7 Chicago.
Sickweather Map: Where the Sick People Are
Feeling sick? Did you tell your Facebook friends? Every day, people update social media sites when they or a loved one gets sick. (Or when a coworker coughs all over them.) Our “Sickweather” map scans social networks for illness indicators, allowing you to find the people with colds, flu and fever. Sickweather is like “radar for sick people.”
Cold viruses are always with us. Flu season occurs in the winter. Flu outbreaks can happen as early as October and as late as May. Click on common cold, flu or fever to see each map. Select national view to see a five-day heat map of reported ailments.
Protect Yourself Against the Flu, Symptoms to Watch For
In addition to getting a flu shot, you can also protect yourself against the flu through frequent hand washing. Practicing “cough etiquette” will reduce the risk for transmission of influenza, Marconnet said. When sneezing or blowing you nose, utilize facial tissue and then hand sanitize, cough into your shoulder or sleeve, and keep at a distance from others. The practice of “cough etiquette” should be respectfully encouraged with others you encounter as well.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends contacting your doctor before going to an emergency department if you are experiencing flu symptoms. However, seek emergency medical care if you or someone you know is having any of following warning signs.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
For additional prevention tips and other educational resources, please visit www.flu.gov.
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