MHHS1: News

Flu Leading to More Serious Complications Like Dehydration and Pneumonia

February 29, 2008 - This year's flu season is in full swing in Hamblen County. Hospitals are seeing a high volume of Emergency Room visits and admissions due to the flu. We have all been educated on flu symptoms, but many times it is hard to distinguish between flu and cold symptoms. It is even harder to decide what plan of care to take.

Minor flu symptoms such as fever, tiredness, persistent cold-like symptoms, aches and pain, or mild nausea can be treated at your primary care physician's office or at a walk-in clinic such as Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System's Prompt Family Care. "The providers at Prompt Care are trained to take care of minor flu symptoms and if caught in the early stages can prescribe medications such as TamiFlu to reduce severity of symptoms," Carol Ann Chandler, Director Prompt Family Care. "These providers are trained to know the serious symptoms to look for and to arrange for transfer to the Emergency Room if necessary," added Chandler.

The majority of patients being admitted at MHHS with the flu are experiencing complications related to the flu, such as dehydration or pneumonia. "These complications can be very serious and need to be addressed at the Emergency Room immediately," Dedra Anderson, CNO/Vice-President, MHHS. Signs of dehydration include: extreme fatigue, unable to tolerate small amounts of fluid intake, and continuous nausea/vomiting. The major sign of pneumonia is a marked shortness of breath. An uncontrollable fever is always an indication that a trip to the emergency room is necessary. According to the CDC, people who are at a higher risk of complications with the flu are:

People over 50
People with chronic or long-term health problems
Women who are pregnant
Children under 5 years old

In addition to the increased cases of flu, healthcare providers at MHHS are also seeing a increase pediatric patients with Strep Throat. "MHHS is the area's designated General Pediatric Emergency Facility, with this designation parents feel comfortable trusting our specialty trained staff with the care of their little ones," stated Cindy Thompson, Director Emergency and Critical Services at MHHS. "Strep can make children very sick and should be treated with antibiotics. Prompt Family Care can also treat Strep. They offer Strep Tests with immediate results. Signs of Strep throat include:

Sore Throat
Fever
Nausea
Foul odor of breath

"The symptom to look for when considering emergent care of Strep is uncontrollable fever," added Thompson.

Infection Control is key at this time of year. Handwashing prevents the flu and many other illnesses. Remember to cover your cough with a tissue or with your elbow, not your hands, and to stay home if you are sick.

This year the vaccines may not have been closely matched, but the vaccine can still protect many people and prevent flu-related complications. Such protection is possible because antibodies made in response to the vaccine can provide some protection (called cross-protection) against different, but related strains of influenza viruses, said Tarry Samsel, Infection Control Practitioner at MHHS.

If you have questions about the flu you can call the Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System Flu Hotline at 423-522-4878, or Prompt Family Care at 423-587-2443.