Visiting Guidelines and H1N1 Flu Information
Due to the H1N1 Flu, as of Friday October 30, 2009, our visiting guidelines have changed:
Please limit visitors to two people at a time. All other visitors must wash or gel their hands before and after visiting patients. If you have a fever AND cough please do not visit.
For the safety of all patients and visitors during the flu season, children under the age of 16 are not allowed to visit. In the event of an extraordinary circumstance, such as hospice care or end of life, children will be allowed to visit. Please contact your nurse and we will institute the appropriate safety measures. We apologize for any inconvenience.
What is H1N1 flu?
- Swine influenza is a respiratory infection, typically seen in pigs and caused by type A influenza virus, typically H1N1 and H3N2 strains.
- Humans occasionally get infected with swine flu. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. workers in the swine industry).
- The current swine flu virus contains a unique combination of gene segments that have not been previously reported in the United States or elsewhere (human, North American swine, Eurasian swine and North American avian).
What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
Symptoms are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, body aches, headache, runny nose and coughing. Vomiting and diarrhea can also occur.
How is H1N1 flu spread?
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
What can I do to stay healthy?
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Please see the following sites for updates:
