Swine Flu Update from Winchester Hospital

H1N1 Flu Update
 
Recent News
Recent news reports about H1N1 (swine) flu are less alarming than initial reports. Officials certainly urge continued close monitoring of the virus, but the Department of Public Health (DPH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have modified many of their initial recommendations including testing protocols. 
 
Because of the “relatively mild course” of the disease, testing should now only be performed on those with the most severe respiratory illness and those at highest risk of complications from influenza. Rapid flu diagnostic tests should not be performed on all individuals with mild illness.
 
In addition, DPH will start doing confirmation testing this week. (Previously, only the CDC was able to do confirmation testing, which caused a delay in reporting). Because of this change, the number of confirmed cases is expected to increase at an even more rapid pace.
 
A Time to Plan, Stay Calm
Please keep in mind that this is a time to plan, stay calm and keep concern around the H1N1 flu in perspective. As health care providers, we believe that is our responsibility to each other, our patients and our community.  
 
Winchester Hospital has a team in place that is working closely with DPH and CDC. The team, which includes our infection prevention specialists, has distributed information to staff about the H1N1 flu and steps to protect you and your patients. The infection prevention specialists continue to collaborate with staff to ensure that all appropriate protections remain in place to effectively limit the impact of any new cases of H1N1.
 
Precautions for All
Remember, you should take everyday actions 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, and before and after caring for a patient. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you are sick. CDC recommends that you stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
The symptoms of swine flu in people appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. Swine influenza cannot be transmitted from eating pork or pork products.
 
Signs are posted at the hospital entrances and off-site locations informing patients and visitors regarding what steps to take if they have flu symptoms. We will also be providing masks for them to wear.
  
The hospital remains in contact with the DPH and will keep the public informed as new information becomes available.
An informational fact sheet from the DPH is available by clicking here. In addition, the following web sites offer helpful information.
 
Massachusetts Department of Public Health at http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/  
Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/


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