Have mild flu? Stay home!

Levittown - Emergency rooms are for emergencies: County and hospitals ask those with mild flu symptoms to stay away. By Danielle CamilliStaff writerdcamilli@phillyBurbs.com609-267-7586MOUNT HOLLY - With reported cases of the H1N1 virus rising steeply within the past few weeks, area hospitals have been inundated with patients coming to their emergency rooms for treatment. On Friday the Burlington County Health Department, in partnership with the Virtua and Lourdes health systems, urged those with mild flu-like symptoms to avoid going to the hospital.Virtua and Lourdes also have implemented visitors' restrictions in the wake of the surge of swine flu cases. Virtua has banned anyone with a cough or fever from its hospitals as well as people feeling sick. Also, anyone younger than 18 is restricted from visiting.Lourdes, which implemented restrictions Friday, is prohibiting visitors with fever, cough, sore throat and running nose. Visitors 17 and younger are also prohibited.County health officials said the ERs at Virtua's hospitals in Mount Holly and Evesham and Lourdes' Willingboro hospital have been seeing patients in increasing numbers, some of whom do not need emergency treatment. "People experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact their doctor's office for guidance on whether they need medical attention for serious illness or it is best for them to stay home. If symptoms are mild, adults and children should avoid going to a hospital emergency room, where there are many people with more severe illnesses and the threat of spreading the H1N1 flu virus and other germs," county health officer Robert Gogats said Friday. Burlington County is not alone. Hospitals nationwide have reported more and more patients seeking emergency room treatment for flu-like symptoms as the H1N1 virus has become more widespread. While most H1N1 cases seen in the county have been mild, a 17-year-old from Mount Holly, Andres Mendez, died last weekend of complications from the virus. The sophomore at Rancocas Valley Regional High School complained of only a sore throat the day before, but by the next morning he had a high fever and went into convulsions.Mild flu symptoms typically can include cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, headache, chills, diarrhea, vomiting and low fever. If people who are sick must go out in public, they should wear a hospital-type mask and avoid contact with others. Any of the following are considered emergency symptoms, indicating the need to go to a hospital, according to health officials:In children: fast breathing or trouble breathing; bluish skin color; dehydration; not waking up or not interacting; being so irritable that the child does not want to be held; flu-like symptoms that improve but return with fever and worse cough; and a fever with a rash.In adults: trouble breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; and severe or persistent vomiting.Also, people with underlying medical conditions should contact their physician for additional guidelines and recommendations. The county continues to provide H1N1 vaccines to schools and at clinics for at-risk priority groups. The next clinic is Friday at the Health Department building on Pioneer Boulevard from 2 to 4 p.m. for children 6 months to 5 years, pregnant women, and caregivers of children 6 months or younger. (Children 6 months to 5 years who receive the shot need to return Dec. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. for a second dose.)For more information, contact the Burlington County Health Department at 609-265-5548 or visit the county Web site, www.co.burlington.nj.us/departments/health/.

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