On June 11, the World Health Organization declared a swine flu pandemic. Indiana reported its first case of the H1N1 North American Human Virus (commonly referred to as the swine flu) on April 28. As of August 13, there were 314 confirmed cases in Indiana.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular
human flu:
- fever of 100 degrees or greater
- cough
- sore throat
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
People with H1N1 influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
Restricted Visiting Hours:
Effective Oct. 21, Saint Anthony Medical Center temporarily is adding restrictions to patient visitation policies and taking other measures to protect patients and employees from exposure to influenza-related illnesses.
Persons under the age of 14 will not be allowed to visit patients. Also, the number of people allowed to visit at a time will be limited to two. Visitors will be given a sticker to wear for the day. Regular visitation hours of noon to 8:30 p.m. will be enforced. There will be circumstances for which exceptions to those hours will be made.
Tours of The Birth Place also will be temporarily suspended.
Help Us Protect Our Patients:
If you're planning to visit a patient at a Saint Anthony Medical Center: Please rest at home if you have a fever, symptoms of respiratory illness or are feeling ill.
To our patients: If you have a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness, immediately inform reception or health care staff. You will be asked to wear a mask to protect others.
What is Saint Anthony doing?
Saint Anthony is currently following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent the spread of H1N1. We are also continuing our "Cover Your Cough" campaign, which includes education information on how you can help prevent the spread of infection by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and washing your hands often.
Hand sanitizers, masks, and disposable facial tissue are available in some areas for patients and visitors to use to prevent the spread of infection. As always, Saint Anthony follows all of the standard precautions for reducing the spread of infectious disease and the H1N1 flu reminds us to be extra vigilant and exercise these precautions.
Learn more about the virus:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Web site (Follow on Twitter)
Indiana State Department of Health Web site (Follow on Twitter)
Get your questions answered:
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has created a call center to answer general questions from Indiana residents. Residents may call (877) 826-0011 from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note, this hotline is NOT intended for the public to ask medical advice about symptoms. Call your health care provider if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
More information
Our interactive health library, A.D.A.M., provides more information about the disease.
Find out more >
Guideline for preventing illness for you & your family (PDF, 1.5MB)
H1N1 y la Gripa de Temporada: Disminuya las posibilidades de enfermarse (PDF, 140KB)
Last updated Sept. 25, 2009, 9 a.m. |