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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 2009
Stay Healthy, Stay Informed: Skyline’s H1N1 Influenza Update
Skyline hospital is your partner in keeping safe this flu season. Here is some information that may be helpful.
What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Illness can be mild or more severe.
How is it different than seasonal flu?
2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, muscle or nerve disorders and pregnancy.
How can I stay healthy?
- Take everyday actions to stay healthy, such as using tissue when you cough or sneeze, throwing tissue immediately in the trash, washing your hands or using sanitizer after coughing or sneezing, avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and staying home if you are sick.
- Keep 3-6 feet from an infected person who is coughing or sneezing.
- Stay informed. The website www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu is updated frequently.
- Follow public health advice about avoiding crowds.
- Should I get the vaccine?
The H1N1 influenza vaccine will be available through the sources that usually provide vaccinations. You should ask for the vaccine if you fit into one of these groups:
How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems.
Should I take antiviral medication?
During the current pandemic, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness (for example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications.
What should I have at home in case someone in my family gets sick?
Useful items to have are: a thermometer, painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, throat lozenges, sports drinks, sanitizer, and tissue.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
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, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
How can I be safe if I visit the hospital?
Hand sanitizer, tissue, and masks are provided at the entrances and waiting areas of Skyline. In addition, there are free brochures in English and Spanish in comic format that you can take home. All employees are encouraged to be vaccinated or document that they decline vaccination. If 2009 H1N1 influenza is identified in our area, we will protect our patients by screening you for symptoms as you enter the hospital, and recommend masks if needed.
Our patient wing has mostly private rooms to allow for protecting more patients.
We are prepared to handle a severe season, but we are hopeful that our area will stay healthy.
Written by Beth Robison, Skyline Hospital’s Infection Control nurse.
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