Flu sweeping through valley

The flu is sweeping the nation, and the Mid-Ohio Valley certainly is not exempt and neither is The News and Sentinel newsroom..

With the huge outbreak of the flu, hospitals in the Mid-Ohio Valley have been asking people to stay away and not visit hospitalized friends.

The emergency departments have been flooded with patients, but haven't yet had to resort to putting up tents in parking lots to treat the ill, as has been done in some larger cities.

"This year's flu season is more severe than last season's," has said Dr. Anthony W. Kitchen, director of Emergency Medicine at the Memorial Campus of the Camden Clark Medical Center.

Susan Abdella, director of the Emergency Department for the Camden Clark Medical Center, has said the situation has almost been at a crisis level.

"In terms of visiting the emergency department with the flu, most folks don't need to come to the emergency department at all," Kitchen has said. "Most flu is self-limited and it goes away on its own.

"The best we can do, from a medical science standpoint, is treat the symptoms. We can't kill the flu. We can't kill the virus that causes it, but we can treat the symptoms," Kitchen has added.

So, what can we do to help get over the flu:

* Take over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, Motrin, Robitussin DM or even Tamiflu, if prescribed. * Get plenty of rest and drink fluids

What can we do to lessen the chance of getting the flu:

* Get the flu shot; it's still not too late

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

* Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

* Wash your hands often, especially after you cough or sneeze. Use soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners.

* Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

* Maintain clean surfaces where you work, primarily desktops, computers and telephones

* And, my additional to the list is avoid shaking hands with people, so don't get upset if I don't follow that traditional courtesy.