Bugs knocking out people

Thursday, January 5, 2006

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Dr. Stuart Strikowsky urges people to wash their hands frequently.

Employers across Tampa Bay say empty desks and chairs are a common sight these days.

Employees are calling in sick in droves.

At Countryside Medical Center, Dr. Stuart Strikowsky said he typically sees an increase in patients shortly after the holidays. Even the clinic's office manager is sick.

"There's a lot of people getting together in a small enclosed area," Strikowsky said. "A lot of person-to-person contact. People coughing, sneezing on each other."

One of Strikowsky's patients, Stephanie Sandler, was diagnosed with a viral infection.

"I've been coughing, sneezing, have a runny nose, stuffy nose, hoarseness," Sandler said.

She says she couldn't talk for three days.

Doctors say they're treating a lot of upper respiratory infections, bronchitis and sinusitis. For viral infections, there's not much doctors can do for their patients.

"Viral infections are usually self-resolving," Strikowsky said. "Bacterial infections require antibiotics."

Doctors say they aren't seeing a lot of actual flu cases currently. They say most of the infections people are suffering with right now should clear up in 7 to 10 days.

Doctors encourage people who are sick, especially those who have a fever, to stay home from work or school.

Tips on staying well:

Try to stay away from sick people
Wash your hands frequently.
Avoid touching your face, because germs are spread when someone touches a contaminated object, then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.