Signs of trouble
Doctors talk about what to look for and when to seek treatment for flu’s dangerous companions
The flu season is in full swing, and flu-related deaths are being reported daily around the country. Many of the deaths have been attributed to pneumonia and sepsis that come on as a result of having the flu.
Local providers weighed in on the signs and symptoms of a secondary infection that people need to be on the lookout for.
“The flu can be a very serious illness all by itself,” said Dr. Charles Mbonu, an
infectious disease specialist practicing in Texarkana. “The flu virus itself can cause pneumonia. … The flu can also lead to pneumonia caused by other organisms, particularly bacteria. It opens the door for bacterial organisms to cause infections that may prove more serious than the flu itself.”
Dr. Matt Young, medical director and physician owner of Texarkana Emergency Center said there are some specific symptoms that indicate pneumonia.
“If people are short of breath even at rest, start coughing up green-colored sputum, their fever’s not breaking and they’re not able to tolerate liquids, they really need to get in to see their provider. When we’re talking shortness of breath, we’re worried about pneumonia. Some of the pneumonias you can get when you have the flu can cause the patient to be critically ill or it can be deadly,” Young said.
One sign that people should seek medical treatment is when they begin to feel better but then relapse into feeling terrible.
“If it seems you’re doing better and then all of a sudden your cough gets worse, the fever comes back aggressively or you start getting short of breath, that’s a signal you might be developing a secondary infection,” Mbonu said.
Sepsis is another potentially life-threatening complication of the flu. It occurs when the body’s infection-fighting mechanism releases chemicals in the body that cause an inflammatory response. It can result in organ failure.
“Sepsis refers to a state that exists when people have a severe sort of infection. It’s a combination of the infection itself and the body’s reaction to it and the effects on the body,” Mbonu said. “There are more severe levels of sepsis. … It can lead to organ failure which complicates the whole process.”
Mbonu sees patients at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System and Wadley Regional Medical Center