Community Update: Flu Cases Continue to Surge at Cook Children's

Flu cases continue to surge across Cook Children’s Health Care System, marking record highs compared to the last several years. 

Last week, Cook Children’s saw 1,342 positive Influenza A cases at its medical centers in Fort Worth and Prosper. Across Cook Children’s seven urgent care centers (UCCs), 60% of the flu tests performed were positive for Flu A.

The influx is leading to over-crowded waiting rooms and long wait times across the board.

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the emergency department in Fort Worth saw 534 patients, while 995 patients were seen at the UCCs. 

“This year is by far worse than previous years in regard to the flu,” said Stephanie Felton, D.O., associate medical director of the Cook Children’s Emergency Department. “Last year, we peaked at 800 positive patients in the month of January. This January we saw 1,200 positive patients. Please keep in mind how contagious the flu is.”

The flu is an infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs) that is caused by a virus. It can spread easily from person to person. Roxana Narat, M.D., a hospitalist at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper, says flu symptoms include fever, cough, congestion, fatigue and body aches.

Kara Starnes, D.O., medical director of Urgent Care at Cook Children’s, encourages parents to practice prevention when it comes to flu and other respiratory illness:

• Keep your children at home and away from public areas if they are not feeling well
• Wash your hands
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Get a flu shot

“The flu vaccine provides the best chance at preventing the more serious complications of the flu,” said Dr. Starnes. “While a flu vaccine may not always completely prevent the flu, it typically makes the illness much less severe and of a shorter duration. It is not too late to get a flu shot, even if you or your child has had the flu.”

Managing Symptoms

If your child is sick, call your pediatrician first. They can help you decide if your child needs to visit their office or go to an urgent care or emergency room. 

For many children, viral illnesses like the flu, RSV, and COVID-19 can be managed at home with supportive care. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and discomfort. Avoid ibuprofen in infants younger than 6 months.

Maintaining hydration is crucial. Encourage your child to drink fluids and consider giving them electrolyte drinks or popsicles. Saline nasal drops and cool-mist humidifiers can help alleviate congestion.

A fever is defined as a temperature of 100.4 or above. A temperature above 100.4 in babies less than 2 months old is a medical emergency and needs to be evaluated in the emergency room. Any fever lasting longer than four to five days, or one that continues to climb and does not break with fever reducers, should be evaluated by a physician.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While most cases can be managed at home, it's essential to recognize the signs of respiratory distress or dehydration, which require immediate medical attention.

Signs of respiratory distress:

• Increased number of breaths per minute
• Increased heart rate
• Bluish color around the mouth, on the lips, or on the fingernails
• Pale or grayish skin  
• Grunting sound during exhale
• Nose flaring
• Chest appears to sink in with each breath
• Head bobbing when breathing in
• Change in alertness  

Signs of dehydration:

• Urine output significantly below the child’s normal (at least once every 8 hours)
• Not producing tears when crying and eyes appear sunken
• In infants, the soft spot on top of their heads looks sunken
• Dried mucus membranes (lining within the nostrils, mouth, throat)
• Sleepy and unresponsive  

If your child exhibits any of these signs, seek immediate care at an urgent care facility or the emergency department. Reserving visits to urgent care or the emergency department for truly urgent needs helps ensure timely care for those who need it most, reduces wait times for everyone, conserves resources, and limits your child’s exposure to other viruses.