Flu Cases

Published

Specializes in LTC.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.

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!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
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. :angryfire

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

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.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
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!!!!:yeah::yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.
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!:yawn:

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:icon_roll), 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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.
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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.
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!

Yup! This is us. Upwards of 8 hour wait times last week in our ED. Would anyone think to go to an Urgent Care center (they pass 4 to get to our ED!) or hey, maybe stay home and be miserable there, just like the docs and news have been saying? No, and they bring the whole family with them. With babies CRAWLING on our floor! UGH! If that poor wasn't sick coming in, guaranteed the babe is gonna wake up with a fever and nasty cough tomorrow! I know sometimes it can't be helped, but don't let them on the floor.

We've *finally* just started making people wear masks. No one EVER took them out of the little holders. Now they are handed one at registration with instructions to WEAR IT, please. :idea:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

We've *finally* just started making people wear masks. No one EVER took them out of the little holders. Now they are handed one at registration with instructions to WEAR IT, please. :idea:

We have a saying at our hospital--"If it coughs, put a mask on it."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion