Tennova Healthcare Issues Guidance on When to Seek Emergency Medical Help for Flu

1/15/2018

The influenza virus continues to spread across the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) closely tracking the number of confirmed cases and urging stringent precautions to minimize its impact. In Tennessee, Tennova Healthcare is seeing elevated levels of flu-symptomatic patients in its emergency rooms, with numerous patients being admitted for treatment of flu-related complications.

“Most people can endure the flu’s effect on their body and recover,” said Jan Robbins, M.D., an emergency medicine physician with Tennova Healthcare and medical director of emergency services at LaFollette Medical Center. “Others, however, are at elevated risk for complications and may require emergency intervention. Those at higher risk include infants and children, the elderly, anyone with a compromised immune system, and individuals with lung disease—such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.”

Beyond simply making its victims feel miserable, the flu can develop into something much more serious, particularly for those at higher risk. So, it’s important they be monitored closely to receive timely medical help if necessary.

Unlike a cold, the flu typically comes on suddenly. The most common symptoms are fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and vomiting and diarrhea.

If you suspect you have the flu virus, the CDC recommends seeking care from your doctor or an urgent care clinic, where you can be tested and receive a prescription for antiviral medication to minimize the intensity and duration of your symptoms. These medications work best when taken within 48 hours of becoming ill, but can still be beneficial when given later in the course of illness.

If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following symptoms, Tennova Healthcare recommends seeking help from the closest emergency department:

Children

• 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
• Symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In addition to the symptoms described for children, seek medical help immediately for an infant who has any of these signs:

Infants

• Trouble breathing
• No tears when crying
• Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

Adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

“Flu can become deadly, so it’s important to act promptly if these symptoms appear," Dr. Robbins said. “And it’s not too late to get a flu shot this year, which can lessen your chances of getting sick.”

For more information or to find a doctor, call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682).

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