Eric Higginbotham, MD, chief of pediatric emergency medicine for the hospital, told KXAN-TV that this flu season is close to the worst one he has ever seen at the hospital. He has been with the children’s hospital since 2007.
“2009 is going to be the closest I’ve seen to this flu season,” said Dr. Higginbotham. “That’s when we had the medical tents out front. This season isn’t as bad as yet.”
He expects there will be a rise in flu cases over the coming weeks, particularly of the influenza A strain. The B strain has been dominant thus far.
The flu has caused 15 million illnesses, 140,000 hospitalizations and 8,200 deaths this season.
Thirty-five states are experiencing high flu-like illness activity, including Texas.
More articles on clinical leadership & infection control:
Gojo gets warning for saying Purell protects against MRSA, flu
‘Out of control’ child abuse pediatricians at Children’s Wisconsin allegedly misstate evidence, misdiagnose injuries
Patients sue Oklahoma hospital over potential exposure to HIV, hepatitis
