Hospitals in St. Lucie County continue to see higher than usual patient counts as the flu season continues. Medical professionals are urging the public to remain vigilant against illness and to wash those hands.
Both the St. Lucie West emergency center and Tradition Medical Center have seen an increase in patients coming in for flu-like symptoms, according to Megha Patel, manager of Infection Prevention and Control for Martin Health System.
Last week, she noted a “mild decrease” in activity, though she attributes that to people keeping their children at home when sick.
Patel said residents are following illness “etiquette.”
“They’re doing the right thing,” she said.
The medical centers are usually more crowded this time of year – flu notwithstanding – due to the seasonal residents’ return over winter. That said, Patel noted that the centers have seen a 1 percent or 2 percent increase in the number of isolation patients they’re monitoring.
Not all isolation patients, however, are flu sufferers; they could have other respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia.
As it stands, Patel said the St. Lucie West emergency center has treated more than 265 flu-positive patients this season while Tradition Medical Center has had more than 232.
Already, Martin Health System in St. Lucie West and Tradition has counted a 50 percent increase in patients over this time last year, according to Patel.
“That was expected,” she said, given the particular strain of flu making the rounds.
Hospitals and clinics are triaging incoming patients and handling care as best as they can, Patel said.
But the centers can only do so much – residents, themselves, need to take action.
“Prevention starts at home,” Patel said, again reminding people to wash their hands with warm, soapy water.
Medical professionals continue to push for residents to get their flu shot.
Traditionally, the flu season runs from about October through as late as May with the peak happening sometime between December and February.
Patel said it’s too early to say exactly where we are within the season.
Countywide, St. Lucie has seen “moderate” flu activity, according to the Florida Department of Health. In the week between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3 (the most recent information available as of press time), there were 1-2 outbreaks of flu or flu-like symptoms reported. By comparison, Indian River County reported more than 5 outbreaks in the same time period. All adjacent counties to St. Lucie are showing moderate activity, according to the health department.
“Moderate” activity means “we are seeing an increased number of visits to emergency departments for people with symptoms of fever, cough, and/or sore throat,” said Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County Community Relations Director Arlease Hall. “Other community surveillance measures are also considered when determining our current flu level including school absenteeism and reported illnesses.”
So how do you know you might be coming down with the flu?
The Department of Health has this checklist: fever, cough, sore throat – that’s it. Got those symptoms? Call the doctor or get to a health clinic. Anti-viral medications work best when flu is diagnosed early.
Those at highest risk of secondary illness – such as pneumonia – or even death include the elderly, children, those who are pregnant, and those who have asthma.
For more information about the current flu season, visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
