[michael79]

Just wondering if you ER nurses are seeing any severe cases of flu in your areas? We aren't seeing many here...at least not in the ER. HOw do your docs treat it? We do IV hydration as needed, IBU 800mg for fever/body aches, and a script for Tamiflu if indicated. Just curious how other ER's treat regular flu/sever flu cases and how much you are seeing.

[htrn]

I work in a small, rural ER. We have seen many influenza A's (33 at last count) and 4 influenza B's. Many people have also come in with respitory/flu-like symptoms and end up negative for influenza A&B. Most are treated symptomatically. If they are diagnosed within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms they may get a script for Tamiflu. The 4 Influeza B cases have been much more sick than the A's - I mean train wreck sick in less than 24 hours.

[RunnerRN]

Tons of both A&B, and also some people who are dx symptomatically who don't swab +. We give ILNS bolus, IV Toradol, po Tylenol, swab for flu, and send home w Tamiflu Rx if relatively new sxs. Occasionally get a CXR if productive cough to r/o pneumonia. This nurse is tired of the flu cases....most of them are aged 18-45 with no other comorbidities, and are big whiners. Gaahhhhh!

[SDS_RN]

We have had many cases of Influenza A over the past 3 wks and had our first case of B come through Thurs. noc. Depends on the ED doc but for the most part we use Ibuprofen or Toradol, 1L NS, and send script for tamiflu.

[crb613]

Originally Posted by RunnerRN

Tons of both A&B, and also some people who are dx symptomatically who don't swab +. We give ILNS bolus, IV Toradol, po Tylenol, swab for flu, and send home w Tamiflu Rx if relatively new sxs. Occasionally get a CXR if productive cough to r/o pneumonia. This nurse is tired of the flu cases....most of them are aged 18-45 with no other comorbidities, and are big whiners. Gaahhhhh!

Pretty much the same here! I am so tired of asking have you been to see your doctor? Response.... well no I have been sick for a couple of days,week, whatever, but I got worse tonight so I came to the ER.

[ERRNTraveler]

The ER where I am currently on assignment in San Diego DOESN'T SWAB FOR INFLUENZA! I couldn't believe it. Every other place I've worked swabs anyone with flu symptoms. I have yet to swab anyone at my current assignment.....

[SDS_RN]

Just got home from the Dr. office my daughter has Influenza A. Can't help but think I brought some of the germies home w/ me from work since I've been around it for the last 3 wks.

[Altra]

Originally Posted by RunnerRN

Tons of both A&B, and also some people who are dx symptomatically who don't swab +. We give ILNS bolus, IV Toradol, po Tylenol, swab for flu, and send home w Tamiflu Rx if relatively new sxs. Occasionally get a CXR if productive cough to r/o pneumonia. This nurse is tired of the flu cases....most of them are aged 18-45 with no other comorbidities, and are big whiners. Gaahhhhh!

THANK YOU!!!!

[mandasueRN]

Originally Posted by RunnerRN

Tons of both A&B, and also some people who are dx symptomatically who don't swab +. We give ILNS bolus, IV Toradol, po Tylenol, swab for flu, and send home w Tamiflu Rx if relatively new sxs. Occasionally get a CXR if productive cough to r/o pneumonia. This nurse is tired of the flu cases....most of them are aged 18-45 with no other comorbidities, and are big whiners. Gaahhhhh!

OMG, I am so sick of it too! While I do understand that it is miserable to have the flu, most people do fine at home with some Tylenol/Motrin, rest and some chicken soup! The last day I worked every hospital in the city except ours was on diversion with 30+ people in their waiting rooms--so, of course our already busy level I center got ALL the ambulance patients that day in addition to all the ambulatory pts. I got an elderly lady from a NH with shortness of breath, lethargy, etc who had been diverted from two other hospitals. And if I get another pt on the "pneumonia pathway" I swear I'm gonna scream!

I'm just praying for summertime.

Also, we don't swab pts at our facility either. Most pts will probably get a 1 litter NS bolus(because I swear that a toe pain gets a line at my facility), tylenol or maybe vicodin(because we give it out like water) or toradol. I have yet to see a script for Tamiflu given to anyone yet.

[sharona97]

Originally Posted by RunnerRN

Tons of both A&B, and also some people who are dx symptomatically who don't swab +. We give ILNS bolus, IV Toradol, po Tylenol, swab for flu, and send home w Tamiflu Rx if relatively new sxs. Occasionally get a CXR if productive cough to r/o pneumonia. This nurse is tired of the flu cases....most of them are aged 18-45 with no other comorbidities, and are big whiners. Gaahhhhh!

These people are sick. And if the swab is neg for the flu, it's not unreasonable to think of other resp illnessess. Like whooping cough, RSV, TB, and yes sick people complain, they are sick. Coming from a nurse of 30 years who went undiagnosed for 4 months with whooping cough and now disabled, not only did I cough, I whined.