ValleyCare swamped with sickness ValleyCare swamped with sickness (January 06, 2006)

Alameda County leading in Bay Area flu
by Carol Bogart

Patients complaining of fever, headaches, sore throats, muscle aches and more arrived in droves at ValleyCare Health System the day after Christmas. Although the first weekday after a holiday weekend is typically busier than usual, on Dec. 26 the hospital registered a 140 percent increase in urgent care visits and a 50 percent hike in those to its Emergency Room, said director of critical care and emergency services Jeff Klingen.

ValleyCare's computer tracking system is recording a trend that finds a steady increase in fever as people's chief complaint. Fever is the primary symptom that distinguishes having the flu from having a cold or other respiratory illness, say health officials.

Hospital spokesman Ken Mercer, who was sick in December himself and lost several days of work, said people who are ill who come to ValleyCare when their doctor's office is closed are treated for their symptoms. If symptoms persist, they are advised to see their private doctor. Dubious honor

The California Dept. of Health reports that Alameda County is leading the Bay Area in the number of confirmed cases of the flu. Kaiser Permanente infectious disease specialist, Dr. Randy Bergen, said the number of confirmed cases of influenza at Kaiser sites throughout Northern California nearly doubled during a recent two-week period. Kaiser has run so many flu tests its regional lab is running low on viral culture media. Today, the Kaiser Emergency Room at its hospital in Walnut Creek is "as flooded as the streets of Martinez," said Kaiser spokesman Jim Caroompas.

In response to the growing number of people who likely have the flu, Kaiser has reinitiated a program in which patients who believe they do can dial whatever number they call to make appointments and ask to be transferred to the regional call center. The call center will then call them in a prescription for the anti-viral drug, Amantadine. When taken within the first 2-3 days of symptoms, Amantadine proved to be effective during the Fujian flu epidemic two years ago, Bergen said, adding, "When people are sick, they don't really want to have to sit and wait in their doctor's office." In Northern California, 110,000 Kaiser patients were prescribed Amantadine to treat the Fujian flu. Mercer said, at ValleyCare, individual physicians make the call as to whether to prescribe Amantadine, which is also the procedure at San Ramon Regional Medical Center, said spokesperson Sandra Ryan.

In recent weeks, ValleyCare has been recording a steady rise in people diagnosed with pneumonia, said Klingen. Health officials say secondary infections like pneumonia and bronchitis are not uncommon with the flu. Is it an epidemic?

Bergen said Kaiser reports all confirmed flu cases to the state and that the number of cases recorded Christmas week was consistent with the "epidemic" numbers recorded with the Fujian flu. The CDC sets the "epidemic threshold"--in other words, how many confirmed cases of illness or death from flu constitute an epidemic.

The strain most often confirmed in Alameda County is the A/California, first seen in Santa Clara County during last year's flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Bergen said Kaiser has not yet noted a secondary wave of bacterial infections--such as bacterial pneumonia--but that it could be coming.

February is typically the worst flu month, second is January, March is third, Bergen reports. 'A' flu strains usually hit people harder than 'B' strains, according to the CDC.

Fortunately, this year's flu shot protects against the A/California and three other strains, and it's not too late to get one, say health officials.
Need a flu shot?

In Pleasanton, flu shots are available by appointment at Axis Community Health, 462-1755, to anyone in the community regardless of income or insurance status. There is no charge, but donations are welcome.

At ValleyCare, there's plenty of vaccine available, reports hospital spokesman Ken Mercer. Shots given in the hospital's Occupational Health Department are $20. Patients can also request a flu shot from their private doctor.

There is a county-sponsored flu clinic today in Castro Valley. Flu shots will be offered from 1-3 p.m. at the Kenneth Aitken Senior Center, 17800 Redwood Rd. There is no charge for those on Medicare. For others, the charge is $25. The Alameda County Health Dept. does not currently have any other flu clinics scheduled in or near Pleasanton. For more Alameda County flu information, call (888) 604-4636 or visit www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/dcdc/izgroup/lhdlist.htm.
Flu Symptoms

The typical incubation period for influenza is one to four days, with an average of two days. Adults can be infectious from the day before symptoms begin through approximately five days after illness onset. Children can be infectious for 10 days, and young children can shed virus for several days before symptoms appear.

Flu symptoms can last two weeks and include:

* fever 100.4-104 degrees

* muscle pain

* headache

* fatigue, "sick all over" feeling

* nonproductive cough

* sore throat

* nasal/eye/sinus inflammation.

Among children, ear ache, nausea and vomiting are also common. The Alameda County Health Department urges those who are ill to stay home to avoid infecting others. To reduce your risk of contracting an infection in public places such as supermarkets or anywhere else large groups of people congregate, wash hands frequently, advises the Centers for Disease Control. Those who are ill should be careful to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze.

If you or a child is ill, drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest, say health experts, who add that the flu is a serious illness that can be life-threatening for some people, such as the elderly, those with chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma, and the very young. --Source: Centers for Disease Control
More information

For more information on whether it's the flu or a bad cold, visit http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/dcdc/izgroup/flu.htm#Flu%20Surveillance.

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