Broward emergency care physician: Be proactive about preventing spread of infectious diseases

Broward Health Dr. Craig Harrison is an emergency care physician. On Wednesday he said there has been an increase in upper respiratory infections.

Harrison said South Florida is more at risk not only because it is highly populated but because there are also a lot of people passing through from all over the world.

Leer en español

“We do have to be aware of that there’s going to be more infectious exposure,” Harrison said.

Respiratory illnesses can cause nasal congestion, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, and fever — and sometimes devolve into bacterial pneumonia. Harrison said that since Fort Lauderdale is a port city Broward Health physicians also deal with cases of gastrointestinal infections.

“We get a lot of cruises coming in and the cruise industry is quite busy, right now, so we’re getting a fair number of norovirus cases coming in,” Harrison said.

The good news is that Florida’s tuberculosis cases are very low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking a tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas.

“It is something we all have to be alert about, for sure. It is a highly infectious, contagious, and airborne disease,” Harrison said.

The CDC warns that people with weakened immune system are at a higher risk. Inhalation when infected patients cough or talk can be dangerous.

Public health officials recommend good hand hygiene. Hand sanitizer does not kill the norovirus, so hand washing with soap and water is the way to go.

More CDC tips

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• Wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy
• Clean frequently touched surfaces such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs regularly.