• Online Scheduling | Careers

Merit Health Rankin
  • Quick Links
    • Find a Doctor
    • Services
      • Services

        • View All Services
        • Behavioral Health
        • Critical Care Medicine
        • Diabetes Care
        • Diagnostic Imaging
        • Digestive Health
        • Ear, Nose & Throat Care
        • Emergency Services
        • Geriatric Services
        • Heart Care
        • Infectious Disease Care
        • Infusion Services
        • Kidney Disorders
        • Laboratory Services
        • Orthopedic Services
        • Pain Management
        • Pharmacy
        • Primary Care
        • Rehabilitation Services
        • Respiratory Care
        • Sleep Medicine
        • Surgical Services
        • Women's Health
          • Patients & Visitors
            • For Patients

              • Patients & Visitors
              • DAISY Award Nominations
              • Events
              • Financial Information
              • Health Library
              • Online Scheduling
              • Patient Portal
              • Physician Referral
              • Request Medical Records
              • Your Stay
                • Careers
                • Locations
                  • Hospitals
                  • Merit Health Medical Group
                  • Merit Health Network
                • About
                  • About

                    • About Us
                    • Careers
                    • CEO's Message
                    • Community Benefits
                    • Contact Us
                    • History
                    • Leadership
                    • Newsroom
                    • Our Community
                    • Phone Directory
                    • Quality & Safety
                    • Volunteer Opportunities
                      • mymerithealth.com
                      • Merit Health Network
                        • Merit Health Central
                        • Merit Health Natchez
                        • Merit Health Rankin
                        • Merit Health River Oaks
                        • Merit Health River Region
                        • Merit Health Wesley
                        • Merit Health Woman's Hospital
                        • Merit Health Medical Group
                      • (601) 825-2811
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Bill Pay
                      • Events
                      • Contact
                      • analog clock icon
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        0 Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      Home/About Us/Newsroom/When to Seek Emergency Medical Help for Flu

                      Refine Results

                      About Us
                      Careers
                      Hospital Opportunities
                      Physician & Provider Opportunities
                      Why Choose Us?
                      CEO's Message
                      Community Benefits
                      Contact Us
                      History
                      Leadership
                      Newsroom
                      E-Newsletter Sign Up
                      Video Library
                      2024 News Releases
                      2023 News Releases
                      2022 News Releases
                      2021 News Releases
                      2020 News Releases
                      2019 News Releases
                      2018 News Releases
                      2017 News Releases
                      2016 News Releases
                      2015 News Releases
                      Our Community
                      Phone Directory
                      Quality & Safety
                      ADA Accessibility Policy
                      Diversity Policy
                      Joint Commission Notice
                      Notice of Privacy Practices
                      Organized Health Care Arrangement Status
                      Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      Privacy Policy
                      Quality & Safety Initiatives
                      Safety Improvement
                      Terms & Conditions
                      Volunteer Opportunities
                      eNewsletter Redirect
                      Events
                      Events
                      Find a Doctor
                      Locations
                      Notice of Non-Discrimination
                      Orthopedic Center
                      Patients & Visitors
                      Services
                      • information
                      • news
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        0 Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      • Directions

                        Find Our Location
                      • Dr. Allen Sheely Joins Primary Care Team in Madison

                        05.13.2025

                      • Merit Health Celebrates National Hospital Week

                        05.12.2025

                      • See All News & Press Releases
                      • Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                        Learn More
                      • Mobile Device

                        Online Scheduling

                        Free, convenient online check-in services.

                        Learn More
                      • Nurse and Patient

                        Patient Portal

                        Access your medical information
                        on demand.

                        Learn More

                      When to Seek Emergency Medical Help for Flu

                      10/18/2023

                      The flu virus continues to spread across the U.S., with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) closely tracking the number of confirmed cases and urging stringent precautions to minimize its impact. Merit Health continues to see flu-symptomatic patients in the emergency room and numerous patients have been admitted for treatment of flu-related complications.

                      While most people will be able to endure the flu’s effects on their bodies and recover, others are at high risk for suffering complications and needing emergency intervention. Individuals at a higher risk include babies and children, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and individuals with lung disease – such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

                      “Beyond feeling miserable, flu can develop into something much more serious, particularly for individuals who are at higher risk," said Russ Emmons, emergency department director at Merit Health Rankin. “It’s important for these individuals to be monitored closely so they receive timely medical help if needed.”

                      Unlike a cold, the flu typically comes on suddenly. The most common symptoms are fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and vomiting and diarrhea.

                      If you suspect you have the flu virus, the CDC recommends seeking care from your doctor or an urgent care clinic, where you can be tested and receive a prescription for antiviral medication to minimize the intensity and duration of your symptoms. These medications work best when taken within 48 hours of becoming ill, but can still be beneficial when given later in the course of illness.

                      When you or someone for whom you’re caring experiences any of the following symptoms – the CDC recommends seeking help from the closest emergency department:

                      Infants

                      • Trouble breathing
                      • No tears when crying
                      • Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

                      Children

                      • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
                      • Bluish skin color
                      • Not drinking enough fluids
                      • Not waking up or not interacting
                      • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
                      • Symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
                      • Fever with a rash

                      Adults

                      • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
                      • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
                      • Sudden dizziness
                      • Confusion
                      • Severe or persistent vomiting
                      • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

                      “Flu can become deadly, so it’s important to act promptly if these symptoms appear," said Emmons. “And it’s still not too late to get a flu shot this year, which can lessen your chances of getting sick.”

                      For more information on the Merit Health emergency room nearest you, visit https://bit.ly/3tvmBvI.

                      Back

                      Merit Health Rankin

                      • 350 Crossgates Blvd
                      • Brandon, MS 39042
                      • P: (601) 825-2811

                      • ADA Accessibility Policy
                      • Terms & Conditions
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Change Your Privacy Choices
                      • Notice of Privacy Practices
                      • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      • Price Transparency

                      Copyright ©2025. All rights reserved.

                      An AllianceHealth Oklahoma® hospital

                      Services

                      • Behavioral Health
                      • Critical Care Medicine
                      • Diabetes Care
                      • Diagnostic Imaging
                      • Digestive Health
                      • Ear, Nose & Throat Care
                      • Emergency Services
                      • Geriatric Services
                      • Heart Care
                      • Infectious Disease Care
                      • Infusion Services
                      • Kidney Disorders
                      • Laboratory Services
                      • Orthopedic Services
                      • Pain Management
                      • Pharmacy
                      • Primary Care
                      • Rehabilitation Services
                      • Respiratory Care
                      • Sleep Medicine
                      • Surgical Services
                      • Women's Health

                      Patients & Visitors

                      • DAISY Award Nominations
                      • Events
                      • Financial Information
                      • Health Library
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Physician Referral
                      • Request Medical Records
                      • Your Stay

                      About Us

                      • Careers
                      • CEO's Message
                      • Community Benefits
                      • Contact Us
                      • History
                      • Leadership
                      • Newsroom
                      • Our Community
                      • Phone Directory
                      • Quality & Safety
                      • Volunteer Opportunities

                      Notice of Nondiscrimination
                      • English,
                      • አማርኛ,
                      • العربية,
                      • বাংলা,
                      • ျမန္မာဘာသာ,
                      • tsalagi gawonihisdi,
                      • 繁體中文,
                      • Chahta,
                      • Oroomiffa,
                      • Nederlands,
                      • Français,
                      • Kreyòl Ayisyen,
                      • Deutsch,
                      • ગુજરાતી,
                      • हिंदी,
                      • Hmoob,
                      • Igbo asusu,
                      • Ilokano,
                      • Italiano,
                      • 日本語,
                      • 한국어,
                      • Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀,
                      • ພາສາລາວ,
                      • Kajin Ṃajōḷ,
                      • ខ្មែរ,
                      • Diné Bizaad,
                      • नेपाली,
                      • Deitsch,
                      • فارسی,
                      • Polski,
                      • Português,
                      • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
                      • Română,
                      • Русский,
                      • Gagana fa'a Sāmoa,
                      • Srpsko‑hrvatski,
                      • Español,
                      • ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂,
                      • Tagalog,
                      • ภาษาไทย,
                      • Türkçe,
                      • Українська,
                      • اُردُو,
                      • Tiếng Việt,
                      • èdè Yorùbá,
                      • עִברִית
                      Loading... Loading...