County of Orange
Health Care Agency

Michael Schumacher, Ph.D.
Director

Juliette A. Poulson, RN, MN
Assistant Director

Mark B. Horton, MD, MSPH
Deputy Agency Director/Health Officer
Public Health Services

Mailing Address:
515 N. Sycamore St.
Santa Ana, Ca 92701

E-Mail: PublicInfo@ochca.com
 

For Immediate Release
December 28, 2000

Contact: MARK HORTON, MD, MSPH
(714) 834-3155

Seasonal Illnesses Expected to Rise in Orange County

(Santa Ana) - The influenza season has arrived in Orange County with Health Care Agency officials urging prevention and early intervention to limit potential influenza-related complications.

According to County Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton, "Influenza is a routine illness for most healthy people, but can be life threatening for people at high risk because of age or medical condition. That's why it is important to take appropriate precautions and be responsible in seeking medical care."

Influenza typically begins suddenly. Symptoms usually include fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, cough and sore throat. Treatment for influenza and other viral illness includes adequate fluids to prevent dehydration and bed rest. Over the counter medications may be helpful in relieving symptoms including fever, pain and congestion. In certain cases, prescription medications to shorten the course of the illness may be recommended by a physician. Children under 19 years of age should not be given products containing aspirin, but can be given acetaminophen for relief of fever and discomfort. Healthy adults and children usually recover from the flu without complications, and in these cases, additional medical care is not necessary.

According to Dr. Horton, those with chronic illnesses such as heart or lung problems may benefit from seeing their private physician if they become ill. He also cautioned that medical attention may be advisable if the individual:

• is not better after five to six days of illness in adults or after two to three days of illness in children;

• if their condition worsens after beginning to improve;

• if they are coughing up a large amount of yellow or greenish phlegm, or if they have persistent vomiting or diarrhea;

• if the individual experiences worsening of another condition such as asthma or diabetes.

Unless a medical emergency exists, individuals should first seek medical attention from their regular physician or other health care provider. Visits to hospital emergency departments are not necessary for routine flu, and should be avoided when possible so that emergency facilities will be available for severely ill individuals. Reasons for a hospital visit include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, severe weakness or lethargy, or other severe symptoms. Physician offices and other usual sources of care may be closed over the three-day New Year's weekend. If possible, patients should seek needed care before the holiday weekend arrives.

Prevention measures include avoiding crowds and reducing contact with individuals who are not feeling well. Covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and frequent hand washing, especially after touching nasal or oral secretions, before touching face and eyes, and before eating, can assist in preventing the spread of influenza and other viruses. Elderly individuals and those with chronic conditions are still urged to receive an influenza vaccine, which will provide protection for the remainder of the influenza season. Even if the person has already had a respiratory illness this season, the vaccine can still be of benefit because the illness might not have been caused by influenza.