News from February 15, 2007 issue
Local News
The Crittenden Press (4 pages) PDF
(Selected pages 1A, 9A, 10A, 8B)
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Sickness creates record doctor visits
Flu and strep are wreaking havoc on Crittenden Countians and creating record-setting numbers at local clinics.
Patients are flocking to the doctor’s office seeking relief from a myriad of symptoms this winter.
Dr. Gary James recently saw 140 patients in a single day at Family Practice Clinic. Among the normal colds and viruses, the doctor confirmed multiple cases of influenza and strep throat.
“We’ve had an epidemic of flu and strep for nearly three months,” Dr. James said.
In January, Family Practice Clinic saw more patients than it had in any single month since it opened in 1980.
Schools have been closed for a few days this year due to widespread illness.
Dr. James said it’s mostly children he is seeing with strep and flu.
The bacteria that causes strep throat is generally found in the nose and throat, so normal activities like sneezing, coughing or shaking hands can easily spread the infection from one person to another.
Practicing good hygiene can lessen one’s chance to getting a contagious disease like strep. Washing hands often and under hot water for more than 15 seconds is a good preventative measure.
With waiting rooms full, Family Practice has started moving patients with flu and strep symptoms straight to the laboratory where their illness can be confirmed after a nasal or throat swab.
Phyllis Campbell, lab supervisor at the clinic, said having those diagnostic procedures done prior to seeing the doctor saves time.
“Otherwise you see the doctor and he sends you to the lab then you go back to the doctor,” she said. “This just cuts down on some of that.”
One day alone, Campbell said the lab ran more than 100 tests for flu and strep.
“It’s been like that since the first week of January,” she said.
Dr. James said he has been discussing with area school officials the possibility of starting an immunization program for students.
“Out of all of the patients I have seen with the flu, only one of them had had a flu shot,” he said. “So the immunization must be working pretty well.”
About 10 days of antibiotics is the normal routine for fighting strep throat. If you get the flu, expect a prescription of the antiviral drug Tamiflu or something similar.