Flu fears overwhelm B.C. hospital

Parents who suspecttheir childrenhave swine flu are putting so much pressure on the emergency room at BCChildren's Hospital in Vancouver thatofficials are asking families to keep their children home unless they have severe symptoms.

The emergency ward normally sees120 to 130 children a day, but concerns about H1N1 have increased the number of daily visits to about 200, more than a 50 per cent increase.

"We need parents' support to help us manage this surge in patients," said Dr. Ran Goldman, head of emergency at BC Children's Hospital.

Most of the additionalchildren brought to emergency don't need to be there.

Parents frightened

But parents like Jason Purvis are concerned aboutswine flu and want to err on the side of caution. He brought his sick 11-month-old daughter, Talia, to the hospitalto get examined.

"She has had a bad cough and they say respiratory is the bigger deal, so we're just here to make sure there's nothing more we can do," Purvis told CBC News on Friday.

Parental fears might be understandable, but hospital staff are worried that resources are being needlessly diverted.

"It just takes away from some of those who might be more acutely ill and need to get seen faster, so it's a longer wait for everybody," said Patti Byron, head of patient care.

When parents bring in one sick child, they often have to bring along other childrenwho can't be left home alone. The hospital is asking that people now seek alternatives before bringing the whole family along, and that only one or two members make the trip.

Hospital officialsreiterated guidelines Friday for parents considering seeking emergency care for their children.

They advised that if parents suspect their child has the flu, they shouldgo to the hospital only if the child:

• Has trouble breathing or chokes when coughing.
• Is under three months old and has a fever above 38 C.
• Has trouble waking up or is lethargic.
• Is vomiting and has dry or cracked lips.
• Has urinated less than twice in 24 hours.