H1N1 worries crowding emergency rooms

WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Experts had warned that it could happen, and now it has. The flu is raiding the hallways at local schools and doctors are confirming it's the H1N1 virus.

Months after experts sounded the warning, the flu is running rampant in West Michigan school districts. On Monday, more than 20 schools decided to shut down, some for a few days, others for the entire week, but in each case, the schools saw between a quarter and a third of their students out sick on Monday.

Now, those sick kids are showing up at hospitals and overwhelming emergency rooms.

At Bronson, hospital staff say they saw a big spike in the number of people showing up at the ER with flu-like symptoms on Monday. That comes on top of a 25 percent increase in ER visits in recent weeks, and most of those who are coming in are school-aged children.

Despite all the hand-sanitizers and germ-fighting efforts, health experts say H1N1 is undoubtedly to blame for some many being sick.

In Galesburg-Augusta, the middle school has been hit the hardest. In Calhoun County, three middle schools are shutting down for a week to try and contain the problem, still the illness is likely to spread among families.

“As middle school children effect younger siblings, parents are exposed, grandparents, you'll see this spread out like a wave in multiple areas,” said Dr. Greg Harrington, Calhoun County Medical Director.

Fear over the H1N1 virus is sending many to area emergency rooms. Bronson Methodist Hospital told Newschannel 3 that the waiting room has been full, with many wearing masks to try and stop the spread of influenza.

“At this point, it's primarily children,” said Dr. Richard Van Enk, of Bronson Infection Control.

The hospital says that in most cases a trip to the ER is unnecessary. In fact, no one who's shown up at the hospital with the flu has been admitted yet. Instead, families should first contact their family doctor, turning to the ER only if there are complications.

“You'll sit in a waiting room for a period of time until your name is called, so that environment is not the best if you are sick,” said Dr. Van Enk. “We will see you, and do our best to evaluate, but if you don't need to be hospitalized, the ER is not the best place for that.”