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Stopping the Spread of Swine Flu
October 7, 2009 |
Prepared. Cautious. And ready. With news of a possible H1N1 or swine flu pandemic
on the horizon, Lee Memorial Health System says it has its tools in place.
“Each person is responsible for a certain aspect of what goes on here at Lee Memorial,”
says Steve Streed, System Director of Epidemiology. Lee Memorial Health System wants
you to be responsible and ready, too.
Should you start feeling the symptoms: fever, joint pain, or cough, do not go to
the emergency room. “They should go see their private physicians if they have private
physicians or one of our walk-in clinics if they don’t have. That will help reduce
the load in the emergency room,” explains Streed. And in order to reduce your risk
of getting the flu, wash your hands often. “Beyond that, even if you are in public
and there are things you can do called cough etiquette. For instance, which involves
coughing into your elbow like this."
Signs have also been posted and visitation guidelines have recently changed. Visitors
are asked to stay away if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Those under
the age of 12 are also being asked to stay out of the pediatric and neonatal intensive
care units. “We’re restricting visitation for individuals under 12 years of age
in our intensive care units already. We do this because we feel younger
people are
pretty good at carrying and transmitting the virus and not so good at the hygiene,”
says Streed.
Once the vaccine becomes available, those who are eligible to receive it should
do so. Pregnant women, healthcare workers, children, and those who are in contact
with children daily.
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