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Re-activateThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that emergency room visits are up since the swine-flu (H1N1) outbreak started, but doesn't know if that's because more people are sick, or just worried. Getting to the ER promptly can be life saving. But it can also be time wasting.
"If you have symptoms that would not ordinarily take you to the emergency department, but you are considering going because you think you might have swine flu, you probably don't need to go," said Bill Briggs, president of the Emergency Nurses Association, in a statement. Indeed, if you don't have severe or emergency symptoms, the best way to avoid the spread of disease is to stay home.
Here are the flu symptoms, for adults and children, that the CDC says warrants a trip to the emergency room:
Emergency rooms are required to care for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. But if you're going to the ER only because you don't have health insurance, there may be some other sources for financial help. Contact your state or local health department to see what services are available. You may also be able to take advantage of clinics that charge based on your ability to pay. Or contact the CDC hotline at 800-CDC-INFO.
—Kevin McCarthy, associate editor
Keep up to date with our Swine (H1N1) flu coverage and recommendations.
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