Features

Flu Prevention

The seasonal flu is starting to make an appearance this year, and the new 2009 H1N1 strain of influenza, commonly known as “swine flu,” has made its way across the nation, including Illinois. Experts are predicting that as much as half of the population of the United States could get H1N1, so Northwestern Memorial hopes to get the word out about flu prevention.

Preventing the flu is the single best way to keep yourself healthy and slow the spread of the flu viruses. As of January, 2010, the incidence of H1N1 cases are dropping, but it is still circulating, and experts believe there will be a third wave of infection in the near future. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent the flu and keep it from spreading to others if you do get it.

What you can do

Get the flu vaccines
- The H1N1 flu vaccine is widely available now, and we encourage everyone to get it. (You may not be able to take the vaccine if you are allergic to eggs or your healthcare provider identifies other reasons you should avoid the vaccine). However, people in certain age and risk groups should always get the vaccine. For a complete list of who these groups are, see recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- The seasonal flu vaccine is still available in limited quantities, and we encourage everyone who hasn't been vaccinated to do so if you are a candidate for vaccination.
If you are sick, stay home and away from others - When you have the flu, you are contagious 24 hours before you show symptoms and may continue to be contagious even after you are feeling better. If you have any flu symptoms, even if they are mild, we recommend that you stay home and away from public places except to receive medical care until you’ve been fever free, without the aid of fever-reducing medications, for at least 24 hours. If you have flu symptoms without a fever, ask your doctor when it’s safe to go back to your normal routine. While you are sick, you should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings.
Clean your hands frequently - We recommend thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel and wipes as often as possible.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing - When you sneeze or cough, any germs you have can be spread to others. You can reduce the spread of germs by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue any time you sneeze or cough. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your shirt sleeve rather than into your hands.
Try to avoid close contact with others who are sick – Whenever possible, stay away from people who are sick. If you must care for a sick person, wash your hands frequently and consider following the CDC’s guidelines for caring for people with the flu.
Talk with a doctor if you have questions - This is especially important if you are a member of a high-risk group. These groups are different for the seasonal and H1N1 flu strains. Please view the CDC’s Web site for information about high-risk groups.

What Northwestern Memorial Hospital is doing

Providing healthcare kiosks and flu information cards - We take the health of our patients, our employees and the community very seriously. There are kiosks installed throughout our hospital facilities where anyone can get masks, sanitizing wipes and tissues to help reduce the spread of viral and bacterial infections – including influenza. We’re also making flu information cards available to the public around campus.
Offering influenza vaccines - We offer the seasonal influenza vaccine to all employees free of charge, and we plan to offer the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it’s available. We know vaccination is a first line of defense, so our goal is to vaccinate 100 percent of direct caregivers.
Educating our staff and the public - We’re working to educate the public and our staff about the importance of prevention and limiting the spread of influenza.
Keeping sick patients protected - We have protective policies in place for healthcare workers and visitors to wear a mask with any patient who is exhibiting flu-like symptoms, and hospital staff know that they need to follow these policies at all times.
Promoting clean hands - We work hard to ensure that all healthcare workers and visitors clean their hands frequently, and always when entering and leaving any patient's room. “Clean hands” is one of our biggest messages, both within and outside the hospital.
Screening our visitors - We are asking all visitors to avoid coming to the hospital if they do not feel well.
Protecting patients from sick caregivers - If our caregivers get sick with the flu, they must stay home from work for seven days or until they have been fever-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This will help limit transmission of influenza from staff to patients.