Call 314-ANTHONY or 800-554-9550 for
| Media Contacts Mary Jo Wich Lois Kendall 314-525-4005 |
Release Date: 8/24/2009
Focus on Flu
Darcy Koch, Infection Prevention and Control
As the upcoming flu season approaches with the H1N1 strain, St. Anthony’s Infection Prevention and Control department will provide a series of informational articles. Please continue to watch the web site for special updates as they occur.
Also see:
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There are vaccines currently being evaluated to protect against novel H1N1 virus, in addition to our seasonal influenza vaccine. There are also everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- 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. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home, if you are sick, for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
- If a patient comes in with symptoms, offer a mask and hand sanitizer at the point of entry.
- Screen visitors for illness and discourage visits if symptomatic. Phone calls are a good compromise
Other important actions that you can take:
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so. A supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
If I have a family member at home who is sick with novel H1N1 flu, should I go to work?
Employees who are well, but who have an ill family member at home with novel H1N1 flu, can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take routine precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit our find a physician online.
At St. Anthony's, our vision is to be the area's premier health care organization — and your first choice for health care services.