Providers at Clay County Medical Center said they have been busier than normal this time of year, with cold season traditionally hitting later into fall or early winter. They attribute this to circling germs and certain strains of sickness that have hit the public hard, like COVID and parainfluenza, as well as rhinovirus, or even allergies that are hitting patients harder this year.
“Everything affects people differently,” said Danielle Rothfuss, APRN at CCMC’s emergency department. “It’s crazy how it can spread for sure. We are already seeing respiratory stuff and asthma exacerbation.”
In addition, Rothfuss said there have been instances of stomach symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea.
“Luckily that’s been pretty short-lived,” she said. “They’re miserable for 24-48 hours but then it’s over.”
Rothfuss said it can be difficult to determine when to go to the emergency room when symptoms of these viruses become severe, citing shortness of breath or sudden abdominal pain as reasons to come in. As well as chest pain that’s sudden or different, noting that some patients have a chronic chest pain that is normal for them.
One of the hardest symptoms to decipher, she said, are fevers. Ultimately, she said it’s not the number that matters, but how a person’s body reacts to it. With a fever starting at 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, body temperature should reduce with medicine.
“If it’s high, yes that means your immune system is working,” she said. “But it’s more about is medicine working?” Vomiting with a fever can be another reason to seek medical help, she said.
“For kids who are sick, it’s kind of the nuts and bolts,” she said. “Tylenol and ibuprofen and give water or an electrolyte replacement.” She added that with really young kids, milk and dairy can increase saliva or mucus, and to replace milk with a Pedialyte bottle if the child’s doctor believes this can be helpful. She said nasal suction is also key for babies or young kids, and getting them to blow their nose once they are able.
“It’s just so important for getting them to breathe better.”
For kids of any age, Rothfuss said it’s important to have age-appropriate medicines, like Tylenol or ibuprofen, saline for a nasal spray, and Benadryl.
“A lot of people come in after-hours with hives and they need a quick dose of Benadryl.” She said it’s also a medicine that can be taken much younger than a decongestant.
A baby who is less than 3 months old and has a fever should also be brought to the ER, she said.
Working at the ER, Rothfuss along with three other APRNs, work seven 24-hour shifts every four weeks. It’s a balance she said she enjoys, as it allows her time to be a Mom.
“I honestly love it because it allows for a good family life balance,” she said. “I get time to recover and be a Mom, then I get to go back and wear my other hat.”
Her biggest struggle, she said, is not legally being able to ask about illnesses in public.
“It’s a small town and I don’t want people to think I don’t care because I actually can’t ask what happened or follow up on a medical aspect,” she said. “It’s not because I don’t care it’s because we legally can’t ask that.”
All-in-all, Rothfuss said patients should be their own advocate, and when in doubt, seek out medical care. The hospital also has a nurse hotline that patients can call to see if symptoms are severe enough to be seen at 1-844-706-8773.
Some insurances, including Medicaid, have their own toll-free nurse hotlines. Or, poison control can be called with concerns about medicine dosing or mixing. 800-222-1222
That also means remaining aware of potential exposures to colds or other illnesses.
“Ultimately, it’s hard because people present with such different symptoms.”
In addition, she said one does not need to be an established patient in order to receive a same-day appointment at CCMC.
“Ultimately, I would never tell someone who’s nervous about something not to come; worst-case is that they come in and follow up with their doctor.”
