How to Survive the Emergency Department During Flu Season

lavandamichelle

8 years ago

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The winter of 2004 was a very scary one. Tim was away a lot and Zyan was now in Day Care which was a fear of mine. I’m aware that she could get sick. My sisters had told me to make sure I keep an eye on her because apparently my niece and nephew all had gotten sick once they started Day Care. Therefore, I had my cabinet full of doctor-approved meds for my 2 1/2-year-old bundle of joy, Zyan. I remember bringing her home from Day Care and just before bedtime during tub-time she felt a little warm. I paged the doctor and when he called me he suggested a dose of meds and liquids after I read him her temperature.

He suggested I take her to the Emeregency Departemtn if the fever doesn’t start subsiding. Two hours later Zyan was crying and holding her ear. I checked her temperature, read the thermometer and suddenly began to panic because it was higher. I placed her in the center of my bed as I admittedly got dressed and started to get her all dressed up. I then loaded her into the Jeep and headed to the hospital. The closer I got to the hospital, the more nervous I felt as I thought about all the germs.

CHOC Children’s Tips on How to Survive the Emergency Department During Flu Season

Your child has been sniffling, sneezing and coughing for the last few days. His fever hasn’t gone down and his sore throat seems to be worsening. You begin preparing yourself for a trip to the emergency department (ED).

Bringing a sick child to the ED can be stressful, especially this winter with hospitals nationwide reporting record-breaking admissions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report there have been 30 flu-associated fatalities in children since January 13 of this year.

For parents who find themselves making a trip to the ED during the winter flu season, CHOC Children’s has these pointers:

Be prepared to wait

Remember you’re entering the ED at the busiest time of year. Expect to see waiting areas and halls overflowing with patients.

Come alone

With hospitals now at capacity, it’s best to leave siblings and other family members at home. Also, you don’t want to expose a healthy child to sick ones

Know there’s a system in place

Patients are seen based on the severity of their condition or injury. Keep in mind, patients arriving in ambulances are admitted in an area outside your view.

Try to keep your child from eating or drinking

Until your child is seen by the doctor, don’t serve him anything to eat or drink. A full stomach can delay procedures and the use of sedatives.

Don’t automatically expect a prescription

It’s a common misconception that antibiotics are the cure-all. Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. With a cold caused by a virus or the flu, an antibiotic will be ineffective.

Breathe

Try to stay calm. Children can pick up on parents’ fear and anxiety. Take deep breaths for you and your child’s sake.

Does the thought of an Emergency Department visit leave you stressed? Please share in the comments below. I really would love to know.

Until next time, shine amongst the stars!

This post was in collaboration with CHOC CHildren’s

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