Seasonal Flu and H1N1
Suggested Guidelines for Hospital Visitors:
In an effort to protect the community against the spread of seasonal and H1N1 flu, Atlantic General Hospital and Health System announced today a set of suggested guidelines for visitors to the hospital.
The guidelines are as follows:
• Patients should limit their visitors to no more than two to protect them and others.
• Individuals with upper respiratory illness (cough, fever, etc.) are asked not to visit patients.
• Children under the age of 18 are encouraged to NOT visit patients at this time. Special accommodations will be made for end of life circumstances. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that young people are more at risk as carriers and transmitters of the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus.
• Individuals with Atlantic General Health System outpatient or physician appointments are encouraged to come to those appointments without their children under age 18, unless the appointment or health care service is for the child.
• To reduce the risk of exposure, it is recommended that pregnant women not visit unless seeking medical treatment.
Free Flu Clinics Swine Influenza What is swine flu? Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.? Is this swine flu virus contagious? What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people? Emergency Warning Signs High or prolonged fever In adults: How does swine flu spread? How can someone with the flu infect someone else? What should I do to keep from getting the flu? Are there medicines to treat swine flu? What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination? How long can viruses live outside the body? What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing? What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu? What should I do if I get sick? If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Clinics There are no scheduled flu clinics at this time. Please check back later. **December 8, 2009 MD has expanded H1N1 vaccinations distribution to the general population
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, dry cough, tiredness and weakness, headache, chills and fatigue. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
In children:
Fast or troubled breathing
Bluish or grey skin color
Unable to drink enough fluids (dehydration)
Severe or persistent vomiting
Changes in mental status such as difficulty waking up, not interacting, or seizures
Improvement and then return of fever and worse cough
Worsening of underlying chronic medical condition
High or prolonged fever
Fast or trouble breathing
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Improvement and then return of fever and worse cough
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. People infected with seasonal and H1N1 (Swine) flu may be able to infect others, from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after. The infectious time can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune system.
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
