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Due to an early and very busy flu season that is affecting the entire nation, Tift Regional Medical Center has opened a new, temporary walk-in clinic to evaluate and treat patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms. 

The TRMC Community Flu Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the TRMC West Campus, located in Tifton at 2225 U.S. 41 North.  To help limit the spread of infection in the community, TRMC is requesting that area residents seek medical care for flu-like symptoms only if absolutely necessary and to restrict patient visits at the hospital. 

“Area physician offices and the hospital’s emergency room have been flooded with patients concerned about having seasonal or swine flu,” said Dr. William Guest, chairman of the TRMC Infection Disease Committee.  “The demand has been overwhelming, so we opened this flu clinic to offer another resource for the community and to provide much-needed relief for local providers.” 

Like most health care facilities, TRMC is also limiting visitations at the hospital.   “It’s important to reduce the risk of exposure, so we are asking that only immediate caregivers visit a patient staying at Tift Regional Medical Center,” said Guest. “Certain risk groups for the flu--pregnant women, children, individuals 65 or older--are also discouraged from coming into the hospital unless they need to be there.” 

Flu symptoms include: high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches and nausea.  Guest said that seasonal flu is a common, passing condition and most healthy adults and adolescents recover from the flu without having to seek medical attention.   The swine flu, or H1N1 virus, is a new flu with some new characteristics, but it is very much like normal seasonal flu.  For the vast majority of people, the effects of H1N1 are likely to be as familiar and temporary. 

“To help us better serve the needs of the community, limit the spread of infection and provide access to patients who need medical services the most, please seek care only if absolutely necessary,” said Guest.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends to people with flu-like symptoms to stay home from work or school, get rest, drink plenty of liquids, cover any cough and wash hands frequently.  For any fevers, stay home for at least 24 hours after that fever has ended.  There are over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptoms of the flu, but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever.  

Those with flu-like symptoms who should seek immediate medical care include pregnant women, young children, people with certain chronic conditions, seniors age 65 or older and any person who begins to show warning signs of a more serious illness.  Warning signs of a more serious illness include difficult breathing, bluish skin color, dehydration, fever with a rash, chest or abdomen pain, sudden dizziness, confusion and severe or persistent vomiting. 

The TRMC Community Flu Clinic, staffed by mid-level providers under physician supervision, is for walk-in patients only and does not require an appointment.  The clinic’s operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The clinic may close early, depending on volume.  Evening hours may be extended based on demand.  Most insurance, Medicare and Medicaid are accepted.   The clinic is located at the TRMC West Campus (Affinity building), 2225 U.S. 41 North, Tifton.  For more information, call 229-353-7318 or visit www.tiftregional.com.