More Local

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
• Former Marine to serve two years in jail for killing Albuquerque robber
• Wilson-Pearce battle for U.S. Senate exemplifies party's disparity

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

Ten New Mexicans have been hospitalized with the flu virus so far this season, signaling an increased number of cases throughout the state, according to a report released by the New Mexico Department of Health.

Those hospitalized are five children under 2 years old from Bernalillo and Luna counties, as well five adults from Bernalillo and Chavez counties.

The department tracks the flu virus from October to May, although the first flu case in the state this season was not reported until Dec. 12.

Spokeswoman Deborah Busemeyer said the department expects to continue to see an increased spread of the virus, although the numbers have already surpassed trends from last year at this time.

With so many people feeling sick, emergency rooms are starting to feel the strain.

Mark Epstein is an emergency room physician and medical director of urgent care at Presbyterian Hospital.

"What we're seeing, in a more general sense, is an increase in the number of people coming in with acute respiratory infections," Epstein said.

Respiratory infection is a broad term that can include the common cold, bronchitis, strep throat and other flu-like symptoms. Epstein said that many times, when a patient goes to the emergency room, the staff cannot be certain whether they specifically have the flu without test results.

"We don't specifically test for influenza because it's more important to treat the symptoms," Epstein said. "We're seeing these viral illnesses affecting everyone from the youngest pediatric patients to the most elderly patients."

Epstein added that not everyone feeling badly needs to be rushed to the hospital.

"When these viruses run throughout the community, there is a greater demand on the health care system," Epstein said. "We want everyone to get the appropriate care. If the symptoms are minor in the minds of the patients, then they are better off going to see their primary care physicians."

The flu virus can last for just a couple of days or as long as several weeks.

Epstein urged people to get flu shots and practice proper hygiene, such as hand washing and doing "all the kinds of things Grandma would tell you to do."

Cindy Greenberg, Albuquerque Public Schools nursing services manager, stressed the importance of taking preventive measures to keep viruses from spreading.

"If your child is sick, keep them at home," Greenberg said. "Let them rest and give them plenty of fluids."

Health officials also said it is important that people who are sick stay at home and rest.

"We don't suggest that children come back to school until they've had a normal temperature for 24 hours," Greenberg said.

Getting plenty of sleep and eating nutritious foods are also crucial to people trying to avoid the virus.

"Certainly, when people are under emotional and physical stress it weakens the immune system," Epstein said.