Hospitals warn flu cases rising, offer options other than busy ERs for care

It’s the busy winter season and that means respiratory illnesses are going up in Southwest Florida.

Hospital leaders expect case volume of flu, the common cold, and respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, to keep climbing.

Statewide respiratory illnesses are labeled as “very high,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lab testing shows a nearly 19% increase in flu around the U.S. and about 26,000 people were hospitalized due to flu.

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While flu is not a reportable disease to the state Department of Health, the state agency monitors flu activity and say it is increasing in Southwest Florida, in the densely populated South Florida area and the northern half of the state.

Around 8% of emergency room visits are tied to flu.

In the first week of January, the CDC said the level of RSV causing people to seek healthcare is at a “high level” and increasing nationally. COVID-19 activity is ticking up in most areas of the country.

What do Southwest Florida hospitals say?

At Lee Health, the nonprofit hospital system in Lee County, the volume of respiratory illnesses was three times higher the last week of December compared to the same time in 2023.

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The first week of December, the health system saw 697 cases of flu, which jumped 82% to 1,273 cases the week of Dec. 22, according to Lee Health data. The last week of December saw a slight dip to 1,129 cases of flu.

In terms of emergency room visits, the total number of flu-related visits Jan. 7 stood at 951 compared to 991 this same time last year.

Dr. Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, Lee Health’s chief medical officer, said: “Our emergency departments are seeing seasonal increases as expected for the time of year and annual increase of residents. We encourage community members to utilize all of the available outpatient services when they are in need of medical care.”

He said the ERs are always open and willing to see any patient in need, (and) each patient’s needs are evaluated upon arrival to determine the severity and medical staff will triage illnesses based on every patient’s health situation.

“There are many choices for seeking sick care, including our convenient care locations, primary care providers, and telehealth services,” he said.

Here is information for when you should go to the emergency room or urgent care. https://www.leehealth.org/get-care

Another site is www.leehealth.org/health-and-wellness/healthy-news-blog/health-hub/know-your-options-where-should-you-go-for-the-righ

At NCH, a nonprofit hospital system in Collier County, data on flu cases were not readily available but the emergency departments are seeing typical volumes for this time of year, with only a slight increase in respiratory illnesses among adults, according to Caitlin George, administrative director of emergency services..

“However, our pediatric emergency department at North Naples Hospital is currently experiencing a notable rise in respiratory illnesses among children,” George said. “We are fully equipped and staffed to manage these cases, ensuring all patients receive timely and high-quality care.”

NCH said patients should visit the emergency department if they are experiencing serious symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, which could be a sign of a more critical condition.

“For minor symptoms that can be managed at home or are less severe, we encourage patients to visit one of our urgent care locations for prompt care,” George said.

More details about locations and hours can be found at www.NCHmd.org.

Physicians Regional Healthcare System, another hospital system in Collier, says it has not seen a significant increase in patients with respiratory issues.

“The number of patients seeking care for respiratory illnesses remains on track with previous seasons at this time, but our emergency departments at our Pine Ridge or Collier Blvd hospitals have capacity to care for anyone who needs treatment,” spokeswoman Brittney Thoman said. “We encourage the community to visit one of our EDs if they need to be seen. Our providers are committed to timely triage and treatment. Our wait times can be located on our website for both EDs.”

The website is https://www.physiciansregional.com/

What are flu symptoms?

Symptoms include chills, headache, fever, muscle or body aches, headache, cough, sort throat, runny or stuffy nose. You may also feel fatigued and experience vomiting and diarrhea.

If you are feeling symptoms are severe or life-threatening symptoms, please visit your closest emergency room.

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs.

Is it more serious for some people?

It can cause mild to severe illness and can be fatal in some cases.

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

Children younger than 5, adults older than age 65, pregnant women, and people living with chronic medical conditions are at a higher risk for flu-related complications.

What is RSV?

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

Symptoms make it difficult to distinguish it from the common cold or other respiratory viruses like the flu or COVID-19.

It spreads in the fall and winter along with other respiratory viruses. It usually peaks in December and January.

It can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, by direct contact with someone who has RSV, or by touching a contaminated surface.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends immunizations against RSV to protect infants, some young children, and older adults

What can you do to stay well?

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds

• Use alcohol hand sanitizer

• Get the flu shot

• Get the RSV vaccine

Where are urgent care centers in Lee?

Convenient Care at Page Field ― 4771 S. Cleveland Ave.

Convenient Care at Pine Island ― 1682 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral

Lee Convenient Care at Metro Daniels ― 13340 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers

Convenient Care at Bonita Health Center ― 3501 Health Center Blvd., Suite 1050, Estero

Lee Health also offers home-based care through DispatchHealth at the same cost as going to an urgent care center. Visit www.dispatchhealth.com/locations/fl/fort-myers/

Coastal Med Urgent Care ― 8291 Dani Drive, Fort Myers, info@cmurgentcare.com

PulseMD Urgent Care ― 27180 Bay Landing Drive, Unit No. 7, Bonita Springs, pulse-mdurgentcare.com

Oasis Urgent Care ― 3164 Palm Beach Blvd.

HCA Florida West Fort Myers Emergency Room ― 8919 College Point Court

HCA Cape Coral Emergency Room ― 322 SW Pine Island Road

Where to get urgent care attention in Collier County

NCH Immediate Care Bonita Crossings ― 28410 Bonita Crossings Blvd., Suite 140

NCH Immediate Care Vanderbilt ― 801 Vanderbilt Beach Road

NCH Immediate Care Southeast ― 7717 Collier Blvd., Suite 100

Marco Island Urgent Care ― 40 S. Heathwood Drive

Physicians Regional Urgent Care ― 6376 Pine Ridge Road

Physicians Regional Walkin Clinic ― 4525 Thomasson Drive

Physicians Regional Urgent Care Marco ― 1839 San Marco Road

Collier Urgent Care Creekside Corners ― 1514 Immokalee Road

Collier Urgent Care Founders Square ― 8845 Founders Square Drive

Collier Urgent Care Park Shore ― 3601 Tamiami Trail North

EPN Urgent Care ― 6400 Davis Blvd., Suite 101

ER QuickCare ― 13030 Livingston Road, Suite 3

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: CDC says respiratory illnesses ‘very high’ in Florida, spiking in SWFL

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