Bugs knocking out people

---

Dr. Stuart Strikowsky urges people to wash their hands frequently.

Employers across Tampa Bay say empty desks and chairs are a common sight these days.

Employees are calling in sick in droves.

At Countryside Medical Center, Dr. Stuart Strikowsky said he typically sees an increase in patients shortly after the holidays. Even the clinic's office manager is sick.

"There's a lot of people getting together in a small enclosed area," Strikowsky said. "A lot of person-to-person contact. People coughing, sneezing on each other."

One of Strikowsky's patients, Stephanie Sandler, was diagnosed with a viral infection.

"I've been coughing, sneezing, have a runny nose, stuffy nose, hoarseness," Sandler said.

She says she couldn't talk for three days.

Doctors say they're treating a lot of upper respiratory infections, bronchitis and sinusitis. For viral infections, there's not much doctors can do for their patients.

"Viral infections are usually self-resolving," Strikowsky said. "Bacterial infections require antibiotics."

Doctors say they aren't seeing a lot of actual flu cases currently. They say most of the infections people are suffering with right now should clear up in 7 to 10 days.

Doctors encourage people who are sick, especially those who have a fever, to stay home from work or school.

Tips on staying well:

• Try to stay away from sick people
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid touching your face, because germs are spread when someone touches a contaminated object, then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

More Bay Area Stories

• PHCC enrollment jumps 9 percent over last year
• Man indicted for murder in slaying of Sarasota girl
• Baseball history was made, even as Rays lost
• Bay area briefs
• Biden speaks at town hall meeting in Sarasota
• High schoolers: apply for Project Weather scholarship
• Seafood chain Shells files for bankruptcy
• Former USF professor out on bail
• Dr. Delay: Hurricane driving is not a good idea

• Spectacular displays of holiday lights
• Tell us about holiday displays
• Hours your favorite shopping mall is open

Holiday events galore!
Come back soon to get the latest on parades, concerts and more.

• Maps and directions
• Airport Information
• Traffic Cameras

• Submit an Event
• Community Events
• Sporting Events
• Entertainment Events
• Spanish Events

Bay News 9 on Demand is free and exclusively available on Bright House Networks digital cable, Channel 342. Here's what's new:

• NEW interactive program guide
• Hogan 911 crash tape released - hear all of it!
• Watch skydivers break world record on camera
• Complete coverage: CNN YouTube Debate (Politics)
• 2007 Severe Weather Special - Learn about everything from hurricanes to lightning

Select the size text you want to use to view www.baynews9.com from the choices below.

• Breaking News Alerts
• Live Audio Stream
• RSS News Feed

Become An Asterisk Hunter!

At Bright House Networks, we prefer to keep things simple.

So the next time you're looking for TV, home phone and Internet service with a 30-day, money-back guarantee, but without the fine print surprises, call

1-866-976-EASY.

Learn more at AsteriskHunters.com.