Flu-like illness making rounds

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Wednesday, February 13, 2002

Flu-like illness making rounds

Children suffering the most as the number of cases jumps in the past few

weeks

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By Margo Rivers, mrivers@... -- 270-783-3243

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Dr. Gray typically sees an average of three patients a day with

upper respiratory illnesses at the Bowling Green Warren County Primary

Center. Within the past couple of days, however, that number has jumped to

between eight and 10 patients, with most needing same-day appointments.

" In the adults, I see more flu-like illnesses, sinus problems, colds and ear

infections, " said Gray, the center's medical director.

But the center's pediatric division has seen the bulk of the patient load,

according to Dr. Pedro Baula, seeing between 20 and 25 children - elementary

school-aged and younger - a day. He usually sees fewer than 20 children a

day.

" It's been more than usual in the past several weeks, " he said. " Most of the

children are in the first stages of ear infections and colds or the first

few days of the stomach virus. "

In fact, Baula and his staff saw more people Tuesday morning than they do in

most normal full days, Gray said.

Doris , vice president of corporate communications for Commonwealth

Health Corp., which runs UrgentCare, said the facility also has seen a 10

percent increase in same-day appointments because of influenza and the

common cold.

" It's also been a 10 percent increase in February compared to January, "

said.

Unlike the primary care center, UrgentCare's patient load consists mostly of

adults, said Dr. Medhat Grace, a family practitioner at UrgentCare who

started seeing the increase nearly three weeks ago.

Though the flu season varies from year to year, it's typically between

November and March. Doctors generally see their acute care patient load

increase during January, February and March, with February posting the most

visits, doctors said.

Unlike the common cold, influenza is a virus that attacks the entire body,

Grace said.

Symptoms include high fever, headaches and backaches, moderate to severe

coughs, nausea, vomiting and red eyes. Many people believe upper respiratory

illnesses like the flu are caused by cold weather, but doctors said it's

actually being in crowded places that causes the spread of the virus.

Despite the increases, doctors consider it a normal sign of the flu season,

they said.

" We usually see more of the patients during this time, then it slows down

around the springtime, " Baula said. " It then picks back up in summer when

most kids have stomach viruses. "

Though the Primary Care Center has seen an increase in the number of sick

children, the two Warren County school systems haven't noticed any

significant change in attendance records.

" If there is a substantial change in the number of daily absences, the

schools would notify me, and they haven't done so, " Bowling Green schools

Superintendent Settle said. " Anytime we drop below 95 percent, we

become concerned, but we haven't experienced any major changes. "

Other than a flu shot, the most commonly recommended front-line defense

against infection is frequent hand-washing.

" It's important because it prevents the spread of the bacteria and virus

both from person-to-person and from person-to-object, " Gray said.

Besides, after every bathroom visit, people should wash their hands before

each meal, Gray said.

" If they're sick, they should wash their hands more often, " she said.

Doctors also suggest living a healthier lifestyle and avoiding crowded

places, especially those that permit smoking.

" The more healthy you are, the less chance you'll get sick, " Grace said.

Gray agreed.

" If your physician tells you to stay home, then that should be followed, "

she said.

Though Baula knows it's difficult for many parents to do, he also suggests

keeping children from day care centers because they are " breeding grounds

for infections. "

Adults also should know the difference between a cold, flu and stomach

virus, doctors said.

" A lot of the problems don't require a doctor's visit, " Gray said. " They'll

call and tell me that they have these particular symptoms. I then ask if

they've tried an over-the-counter medicine. They usually say no. They want

the antibiotics and they may not need them. "

But if the person has a 102- or 103-degree fever, is constantly coughing and

has bad headaches and backaches, they need to seek medical help as soon as

possible, Grace said.

For those who opt for over-the counter medicine, make sure it is a

decongestant and not an antihistamine, Gray said.

" Antihistamine is for sinus problems, " she said. " It won't help with the

congestion you get from a cold. "