If you must visit: Wear a mask and use tissues to
cover your cough. Both are available at the information desk.
If you have any questions: Ask for help at the
information desk before visiting. If you have any doubt about
whether or not you are likely to spread contagious germs, please ask for
help before visiting a patient.
Marci Drees, M.D., Christiana Care's Hospital Epidemiologist, answers common
questions about seasonal flu and H1N1 (Swine) flu.
We're ready for the H1N1 flu-are you?
NEW VISITOR GUIDELINESDuring the H1N1 flu pandemic, our first priority is the safety and care of our patients, visitors and employees. We're working closely with government officials to be sure we're ready. Use this information to make sure you are ready, too.
Once people who could get very sick or die if they get the flu are vaccinated, healthcare providers should also begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection for people older than 65 is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older.
To find out where you can get the regular flu vaccination and/or the H1N1 flu vaccination, use the map of the United States on this page for the most up-to-date information: www.flu.gov.
The H1N1 vaccine comes in two forms, either a shot or a nose spray. Some people should not take the nose-spray form. A health care professional will know which form is right for you.
How to avoid getting the flu
Practice normal daily hygiene.
Wash your hands frequently, and be sure you are washing then correctly, particularly after you cough or sneeze.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Throw out tissue immediately after use.
Do not share towels, glasses, food or toothbrushes or have other close contact with an infected person.
Get vaccinated for the seasonal flu (available now). See your health care provider to find out how.
Get vaccinated for H1N1 flu when the vaccine is available. Visit CDC's H1N1 site to stay up to date on vaccine availability and recommendations.
The symptoms of the H1N1 flu are very similar to the symptoms of the regular seasonal flu. These include:
Fever, usually more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cough.
Sore throat.
Muscle aches.
Headache.
Chills.
Fatigue.
Diarrhea (less common).
The flu usually feels very different from the common cold, which typically causes a lot of runny nose, sneezing but not much fever, chills, body aches or severe fatigue.
Doctors say home is the best place to recover from the flu. You can help to stop flu from spreading if you refrain from visiting the doctor's office or the hospital-or anyplace where you will come into contact with other people-unless your symptoms call for urgent care.
How to properly take care of yourself if you have the flu:
Take over-the-counter medication for symptom relief and as needed for fever and pain.
If you have flu-like symptoms and are in a high-risk group (pregnant, less than 5 years old or have a chronic disease) contact your doctor. For everyone else, if you experience any of the following, then you should seek emergency medical care:
Children 5 and older
Fast breathing or trouble breathing.
Bluish or gray skin color.
Not drinking enough fluids.
Severe vomiting.
Not waking up or not interacting.
Too irritable to even be held.
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Adults
Trouble breathing or shortness of breath.
Severe pain or pressure in chest or stomach.
Sudden dizziness.
Confusion.
Severe or persistent vomiting.
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Tamiflu is a drug that can shorten the duration of the flu. It is approved for people older than 12 months. For most people, Tamiflu will only shorten their illness by about one day, even if they begin taking it promptly. If you have mild to moderate flu symptoms, you don't need it. After you are evaluated by a medical professional, you might receive medications like Tamiflu based on the severity of your illness or your underlying medical conditions.
The CDC has requested that employers and schools not require notes during this flu season due to the added burden a pandemic places on medical practices. With that in mind, linked above is a letter that can be used by Christiana Care patients which references the CDC guidelines and can be used in lieu of a personalized note for patients who need a doctor's note to return to work or school.
