FLU UPDATE
6/19/09
We have been seeing and speaking with many patients
with
flu-like
illness in the past few weeks. The number of sick patients is unusual
for this time of year and most likely represents widespread influenza
in our community.
The symptoms of the current flu in our community are mild
and
short-lived such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches,
and nausea lasting only a few days.
We are not routinely testing for influenza. We are not
testing for
the specific “swine flu” virus on routine patients as recommended by
public health officials.
We are not routinely treating influenza patients with
medication
(Tamiflu) unless they are considered high-risk patients.
High Risk Patients are defined as children under 2 years of
age, or children with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart
disease, immune deficiencies, or other chronic diseases. If your child
is considered a high risk patient based on this definition, he or she
might be a candidate for treatment with anti-viral medication
(Tamiflu.) Please call our office if he or she develops a fever and any
of the symptoms described above.
If you or your child has mild flu-like symptoms, you or your
child
should stay at home. Patients with mild illness probably do not require
an examination in the office. Sick children may be given medication for
fever and should drink lots of fluids.
Public health officials have asked that adults and children
with
fever and one other symptom such as cough, sore throat, or runny nose
should stay home from work or school for at least 7 days from the onset
of illness (or 24 hours after the end of illness if symptoms persist
longer) even if they have no symptoms before the end of that period of
time.
We cannot write a note recommending that a patient return to
school
or work earlier than the 7 day exclusion period. Public health and
school officials have been quite strict about this point.
Patients
who have recovered from the flu do not need clearance by us with an
office visit or a note to return to work or school once the 7 day
exclusion period has passed.
If our child is ill for more than 3 days, appears to be more
than
mildly ill, or might be considered a high risk patient (immune problem,
heart problem, asthma, or child under 2 years old), please call to
speak with a nurse or physician in our office.
Latest
Massachusetts DPH guidelines on testing and treatment
Massachusetts
DPH recommendations for school and work exclusion
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