Flu Update

Influenza

Influenza is commonly known as "the flu." Every year, there are a number of different influenza viruses circulating the world and causing flu-like symptoms in people who become infected. This year, two main strains of the flu are currently going around. They are seasonal flu and the new 2009 H1N1 flu, which was initially called "swine flu."

In a typical year, the seasonal flu affects between 5 and 20 percent of the population in the United States, and approximately 36,000 people die from complications of the flu. Most cases of the seasonal flu occur between late fall and early spring. This year, however, in addition to those who will get the seasonal flu, experts are predicting that as many as half of the population of the United States could get the H1N1 strain of the flu. The H1N1 virus seems to be circulating throughout the year.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that a global pandemic of H1N1 flu is underway. (This action was a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness that has been caused by the virus, which seems to cause mild illness in people who are otherwise healthy). A pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population. When this happens, the virus can cause more serious illness and can spread easily from person-to-person, thus affecting many more people than the typical seasonal flu does.

New Visitation Policy

Prompted by the presence of the H1N1 virus and an increase in flu-like illnesses throughout the Tristate, and for the safety of our patients and our visitors, Clinton Memorial Hospital has put in place strict visitor restrictions:

• No visitation by anyone who is ill with any respiratory symptoms including coughing or fever, etc.
• No visitation by anyone under age 14

What are the signs and symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu?

They may include fever over 100° with cough or sore throat, body aches, runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, headache, chills, and fatigue. (Not everyone with the flu will have a fever.)

What should I do if I get sick?

If you get sick with flu-like symptoms this flu season, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Most people with 2009 H1N1 flu have had a mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral medicines. If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, you should talk to your health care provider about whether you need to be examined. It should not be necessary to go to an emergency room unless you demonstrate some of the “emergency warning signs” that are listed below:

Warning signs that need urgent medical attention

• In children:
  • Fast or troubled breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve, then return with fever and cough
• In adults:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting