Document text
Dozens start new year sick By JoNel Aleccia of the Mail Tribune With Y2K worries behind them, some Southern Oregon residents faced a nasty new bug of the traditional variety this weekend. Coughs, fevers, muscle aches and chills sent dozens of area residents to hospital emergency rooms over the New Year's holiday. Medical personnel couldn't say for sure whether the illness represents an outbreak of influenza, but they did confirm that a range of flu-like symptoms seems to be afflicting people in increasing numbers. "We're certainly seeing a lot of people with upper-respiratory illness," said Ann Prentice, a staff nurse in the emergency room at Rogue Valley Medical Center. "We're seeing a lot of congestion, fever and weakness." At Providence Medford Medical Center, as many as four people were admitted with pneumonia on New Year's Eve, said nursing supervisor Theresa Erickson. "This is the time of year we start seeing it," she said. Complaints began increasing two days ago at Ashland Community Hospital, said Lyn Sheperd, an emergency room admitting clerk. "It starts with a bad headache and a slight fever and a cold," Sheperd said. "Everyone's got it. I've got it." By official accounts, this may be a bad year for influenza and related illnesses. Fourteen cases of influenza had been reported in the state as of Dec. 25, most recent statistics from the Oregon Health Division show. That's compared to two cases for the same period in 1998. Symptoms of influenza include an abrupt onset of fever, headache, sore throat, cough and muscle aches, the Oregon Health Division reports. Unlike other common respiratory illnesses, influenza is accompanied by a striking sense of unwellness, loss of appetite and weakness lasting several days. The best treatment is to rest and drink fluids. Antiviral drugs can lessen the duration of the illness, but they must be administered during the first 24 to 48 hours of illness. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA