Hack Attack Hits East End - Aachoo!

It seems the whole East End has the blahs, or worse. Lingering chest colds, some cases of pneumonia, hacking coughs, runny noses, sore throats, and fevers have been running rampant on the East End since Thanksgiving.

"It's been big time, phenomenally higher," said Dr. Daniel Lessner of Sag Harbor. "This has been one of the worst years for this flu-like stuff going around."

"It's a particularly sick season," said Kattie Berkoski, the office manager of the Bridgehampton Family Medical Practice, who was coughing herself as she answered the telephone. "All the doctors' offices are loaded with patients. We're seeing this thing which is not really the flu, but is more than a cold."

Not All Flu

"It's very hard," agreed Dr. Gavino Mapula of Montauk, who said he'd "never been busier" treating such symptoms, especially in children and the elderly. He added that three of his patients had been hospitalized with pneumonia.

Indeed, pneumonia is about, and doctors and school nurses say most cases have been caused by a secondary bacterial infection that attacks patients when their immune systems have been laid low by viruses.

"Really one of the complications of flu and flu-like viruses is pneumonia," said Dr. Michael Catapano, who heads the emergency room at Southampton Hospital. "The last few weeks we've seen a lot of cases in the emergency room," he said of both pneumonia and influenza.

Serious Illnesses

Pneumonia shows itself with "fever, coughing up phlegm, shortness of breath, and chest pains," he said. Symptoms of clinical influenza, which he called a "very serious illness," include "high fever and muscle aches that keep you in bed for seven to 10 days."

If you hurt all over you may well have the flu, but mucus-marked problems are more likely sinus or respiratory infections, said Dr. Blake Kerr of Wainscott Walk-In Medical Care. He said flu season had actually been slow so far this year.

The hospital does not test for influenza, so Dr. Catapano could not say how many cases had turned up. But Dr. Martin Mayer of the Suffolk County Health Department said the potentially deadly disease had yet to make a strong appearance.

"Influenza has been isolated in the county," he said. "A portion of those complaining of the flu actually have the flu, but not all do."

Hard To Keep Up

Because it takes some time to build up immunity, people who have waited till now for flu shots can expect to wait to see their benefits. "It's not too late because the flu season may last until the latter part of winter," Dr. Catapano said

With winter right around the corner, Dr. Mayer refused to predict how severe this year's flu season would be. "That's like the equivalent of trying to predict the snow season or the hurricane season," he said.

Each year, scientists studying strains from the previous year's major flu viruses try to tailor a vaccine that will ward off the current strain. "But flu shots do not protect against other viral infections," said Dr. John Oppenheimer of Sag Harbor, who reported a "surge" of patients suffering from viral illnesses in the past week.

Pierson Ailing

School nurses from Bridgehampton to Montauk have reported normal to slightly higher than normal absences for this time of the year, but nothing really unusual, except at Pierson High School in Sag Harbor.

"I've been crazed with the number of kids with the cold or flu, low-grade temperatures, lots of chest pain and trouble breathing," said Sue Denis, the Pierson High School nurse. "There are a couple of things going around."

Early this week, almost 80 Pierson High School and Middle School students were out sick, and more were sent home on Monday, she said.

"If there is a virus in the air, you are probably going to get it," said Carol Ann Spencer, the Sag Harbor Elementary School nurse. She reported normal absences for this time of year.

Springs Stomachs Hit

In Springs, some students have been felled by either a cold and fever or a stomach virus, according to Maryann Roman, the school nurse, and "the stomach virus seems to be winning the contest."

Dori Armbruster, the East Hampton Elementary School nurse, reported approximately 25 absences earlier this week. She noted that some students had come down with bronchitis or pneumonia. Sonia Schofield, the Montauk School nurse, also reported several cases of pneumonia, and a number of colds. "If you're coughing and sneezing, please stay home," she said.

"I can't say it's any worse than usual," said Diane Astorr, the East Hampton High School nurse. She did acknowledge that something was going around, though.

Kathleen Blume, the Bridgehampton School nurse, reported normal absences, and Pat Rogers, the Amagansett School nurse, said her school had been largely spared. "It seems to be mostly adults and older kids who are getting sick," she said.

Lots Of Advice

In fact, "most healthy young people have no trouble" with either flu or pneumonia, according to Dr. Catapano. However, anyone with heart or lung problems, the elderly, or the very young "are the kind of people who do particularly badly with it," he said.

"If it's anything out of the ordinary, people should see a doctor," he advised.

For their part, school nurses have suggested following the hygiene rules taught in health class. "You have to wash your hands well, and after you sneeze into a tissue, throw it away," said Ms. Armbruster. Ms. Denis said people should eat "a good diet" and even air out their houses to improve the flow of fresh air.

Although bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, there is not much that can be done for viral infections. "You need lots of fluids and adequate rest," said Ms. Armbruster.

Dr. Lessner suggested another tried-and-true method. "Chicken soup," he said. "That's the Jewish penicillin."