Swine Flu Update

Good Samaritan Hospital is dedicating this section of our web site to keeping you up-to-date on all health information related to Influenza A H1N1. Any new information that becomes available will be placed on this page for your convenience.

The following information gives you a better understanding of this influenza virus as well as any particular precautions that you need to take. For additional information, please see the links at the bottom of this page.

Quick Facts

The H1N1 virus has spread from human to human through the coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. The virus can also be spread when someone touches something with flu viruses on it and then touches their mouth or nose. Vaccines for human seasonal flu do not provide protection from the H1N1 viruses. In addition, eating foods made from pork products is not a risk factor for developing this flu. Symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza and include:

• Fever and chills
• Body aches and extreme fatigue
• Headache
• Lack of appetite
• Coughing, sneezing, runny nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea

What to do if you suspect that you or your family member has Influenza A H1N1?

STAY CALM

• Most cases of the flu cause mild illness that do not require hospitalization.
• The majority of patients recover quickly with no problems.

ISOLATE YOURSELF

• The most important thing that you and your sick family member can do is to stay away from others and help stop the spread of infection.
• The sick person should stay in another room of the house-away from others-for at least 7 days after that person shows symptoms.
• If the sick person needs to move around the house, that person should wear a mask over his/her nose and mouth.
• No one, including the sick person or members of the household, should travel on airplanes or buses, and should not attend work, school, church, or visit other public places for at least 7 days after the member of the home shows signs of sickness.

USE GOOD HYGIENE

• Everyone in the home (whether sick or not) should wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water.
• Everyone should also use alcohol hand sanitizer regularly.
• There should be no sharing of eating utensils, drinking glasses, washcloths, towels, beds, etc., until everyone living at the home has been free of symptoms for 7 days.
• If you need to cough or sneeze, do so into a bend elbow or tissue. Throw the tissue away immediately.
• If you have a runny nose, use a tissue and dispose of it immediately.

TREAT THE FLU AT HOME (if possible) 

• The flu is caused by a virus and does not respond to antibiotics.
• For fevers, headache, and body aches, take Tylenol or Advil/Motrin as directed on the bottle.
• To stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids-especially if you have a high fever, vomiting or diarrhea.

SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT (if needed)

People who may need medical treatment from their doctor are those who are very young, very old, or have serious medical conditions (such as severe diabetes, cancer, lung disease, HIV, or are on dialysis).

• If you think you need medical treatment, call your doctor's office first! Your doctor may want to speak over the phone vs. having you come into the office and infecting others.
• If you are advised to visit your doctor's office, wear a mask and inform the staff immediately that you have flu-like symptoms so that you can be placed away from others.

NOTE: Most flu cases do not require emergency room treatment. Please do not call 911 or go to the emergency room for flu-like symptoms unless you have any of these symptoms:

FOR ADULTS:

• Confusion
• Severe headache not improved by Tylenol or Advil/Motrin
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Continuous vomiting or diarrhea

 FOR CHILDREN:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Difficulty drinking fluids
• Excessive sleeping or not interacting with people, as usual
• Irritable and not wanting to be held
• Worsening fever and cough
• Fever with rash

For more information on Influenza A H1N1, visit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

You can also view CDC podcasts with information about Influenza A H1N1: CDC Influenza A H1N1 Podcasts

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Johns Hopkins Office of Emergency Management and
• the Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control