Uncommon outbreak of influenza type A and B has local hospitals flooding with patients

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Doctors at Saint Agnes Medical Center are treating symptoms such as overwhelming fatigue, cough, runny nose, stuffiness, congestion, but they are not doing it as fast as they would like.

"As we discharge patients, there is someone waiting for those beds and they are pretty sick," said Dr. Gene Egerton.

Dr. Egerton Chief Medical Officer at Saint Agnes says this flu season they are seeing an overwhelming amount of patients in their emergency rooms.

Doctors say an outbreak of influenza types A and B at the same time is uncommon.

"It creates a strain on our resources as far as our staff particularly our nurses, taking care of patients on the floor," said Dr. Egerton

The flu is also putting a strain on Community Regional Medical Center.

"You should take a look at the department, it is really busy, not just in our emergency department, but really in all emergency departments," said Dr. Jessica Mason.

Busy emergency rooms beg the question--when should we see a doctor?

"That's the million dollar question," said Dr. Mason.

Doctors say in most cases the flu can be treated at home. If you need to be seen you are better off at urgent care and if your symptoms worsen then you might want to visit the ER, but that does not mean you will be seen faster.

"With all emergency rooms the sickest people need to be seen first, so you may wait longer in an emergency room," said Dr. Egerton.

If untreated the flu can result in pneumonia but doctors say only rare cases do people die from the virus.

"Most people who get the flu end up being just fine, it is really just those at risk populations that we get more concerned about," Dr. Mason.