HOSPITALS across Ireland have enforced infection control measures as they are swamped by patients due to the ongoing flu infection spike.
Most hospitals are enforcing infection control measures after over 1,000 patients were hospitalised for flu infection.
There has been a 632 rise overall on this day last week and a 17 increase in hospitalisations from New Year’s Eve.
Of those in hospitals, sixty-two are receiving treatment in intensive care units, and twenty-six of them need ventilators.
Hospitals in the west and northwest are currently treating 166 flu patients, putting the health services under pressure.
Due to a sudden increase in flu infections, The Saolta University Healthcare Group has enforced mandatory mask-wearing at hospital emergency departments in Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway.
The mandatory mask-wearing rule has already been enforced for all staff and patients at hospitals across Cork and Kerry .
University Hospital Limerick has also recently put it in force.
Visitors to other hospital departments and healthcare settings are encouraged to wear masks to prevent the spread of the respiratory infection.
Visitor restrictions are being enforced in many departments to prevent the spread, but this varies from hospital to hospital depending on the infection levels in each ward.
Family and close members of patients are urged to check with the hospitals in advance before paying a visit.
Speaking on RTE’s Drivetime, IMO President Dr Denis McCauley said the current rise of flu infection is “a predictable event”.
He said: “It’s a very significant event for each person who is now presently in hospital but we should be prepared for this.
“Every year we’re being told that there’s more money going into health… but my concern is it’s not being planned.”
Healthcare should be at the forefront of government formation discussions and government programs, according to the Irish Medical Organisation.
McCauley added that increased spending was excellent but needs more work in healthcare, such as a consultant-led system.
URGENT ASSISTANCE PLEA
Healthcare settings are urging people who are currently ill or feeling like they are suffering from a head cold to stay away from hospitals to protect vulnerable and sick patients.
They also urge the public to work together to combat the spread of respiratory illness by staying home if they are experiencing any symptoms.
They encourage people experiencing any flu symptoms to seek treatment from the local pharmacy, their GP and GP Out of Hours.
People who have non-life-threatening conditions such as fractures and burns are asked to use the injury units.
The HSE kindly asked the people to cooperate with the health staff and follow the restrictions put in place due to flu and other circulating infections.
They encourage visitors and patients to continue to practice infection prevention measures such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FLU?
THE flu virus infects your lungs and upper airways and is more severe than a cold.
According to the HSE, symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- A sudden high temperature of 38C or above
- Aches and pains
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- A dry cough
- A sore throat
- A headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea or tummy pain
- Feeling sick and being sick
The symptoms of flu are similar for children but they can also get a pain in their ear and seem to be less active.
Cold and flu symptoms are similar but a flu appears quickly within a few hours, affects more than just your nose and throat and makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as normal.
The symptoms of a flu can also be similar with those of Covid-19, but the coronavirus is likely to have symptoms of a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
There are some things you can do to help ease symptoms and get better more quickly.
The HSE advise getting rest and sleep, keeping warm, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature and treat aches and pains and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Cold and flu symptoms are similar, but the flu tends to be more severe.
The cold usually appears gradually, mainly affects your nose and throat and makes you feel unwell, but you can carry on as usual, such as going to work.
The flu appears quickly within a few hours, affects more than just your nose and throat and makes you feel exhausted and too unwell to carry on as usual.
However, flu and Covid-19 can be very similar. The symptoms of Covid-19 include a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.