More and more people have been wearing blue masks at area hospitals.Over the past week or so, Lourdes has seen an up-tick in people coming into its emergency room, practices and walk-ins with flu like symptoms.Both staff handling possible flu cases and the sick have to wear the masks to try to prevent the spread of germs.Many staff members haven't received the H1N1 or swine flu vaccination yet because of the supply shortage.Health officials assume that most of the people with flu likely have swine flu.Therefore, the more extensive tests needed to confirm aren't being done.To try to keep the flu from spreading Lourdes has put a new visitation policy for in-patients in place, which includes no more than two visitors per patient, immediate family only, and no visitors under the age of 18.
Dr. Taylor says, "They're the population that we're seeing the most of the flu like illness in. The younger population has less immunity to this type of strain and are more likely to have the infection."
UHS has also put visitation guidelines in place, including not allowing people under the age of 14 to visit the maternity ward unless they're a sibling.
Both hospitals also don't want any sick people visiting.
With the recent flu frenzy, the Broome County Health Department wants to discourage everyone with the flu from flooding local emergencies rooms.
Unless you have an underlying medical condition that puts you at risk for complications from the flu, it is not necessary to seek emergency medical care.
The Health Department says that visits to emergency rooms should only be used for those who need immediate care.The Heath Department says that most people can weather the flu by staying in bed and drinking plenty of fluids.However, there are some emergency warning signs that indicate that you should see a doctor.If you have a bluish or gray skin color, if you experience difficulty breathing, severe vomiting, dizziness and confusion, or pain in the chest or abdomen.
