Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- About 125 patients with flu-like symptoms visited Hasbro Children's Hospital Thursday.

The number jumped from 90 patients the day before.

With the seasonal flu season starting, "people want to be extra careful," said hospital spokeswoman Ellen Slingsby. "We're seeing more patients than usual, but it's not a record."

Pediatrician's offices are also reporting a surge in patients, say health care experts

On Monday, Victoria Sousa, a 12-year-old Bristol girl, died after contracting the swine flu, prompting some anxious patients to visit emergency rooms and medical clinics, doctors said.

Swine flu, like seasonal flu, involves a high fever, dry cough, headache, fatigue, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches and sometimes nausea and vomiting.

Extra: Rhode Island Health Director Dr. David R. Gifford, himself suffering from flu-like symptoms, participated in an online chat Friday morning with projo.com readers.

 Tags  Hasbro Children's Hospital swine flu

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