Flu Widespread in New York
For Immediate Release -
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
is reporting that influenza
(the flu) is now
widespread in New York State. The report also states that
test of virus samples show that the circulating flu strains seem to
be well-matched to this season's flu vaccine.
It's not too late to get your flu shot.
Lourdes Primary Care is still vaccinating patients.
Adult patients and children, 6 months and older,
of Lourdes Primary Care Network
may schedule a seasonal flu shot by contacting
their Primary Care Office during
regular office hours.
Stop the spread of germs that make you and
others sick.
- Protect yourself by keeping your hands
clean. The flu virus can survive on surfaces for 5 - 8
hours. Wash your hands with soap and water or clean with
alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Cover your cough. Cover your mouth
and nose with a tissue when you cough. You can also cough or
sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Throw your
tissues in the trash right after you use them.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and
mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick
people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC
recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after
your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other
necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a
fever-reducing medicine.) You should stay home from work, school,
travel, shopping, social events, and public
gatherings.
- While sick, limit contact with
others as much as possible to keep from infecting
them.
- Do not visit the hospital if you are
ill. We urge those who are feeling sick or exhibiting
flu-like symptoms to refrain from visiting inpatients at the
hospital during flu season. Let a patient know you care by making a
phone call, mailing cards, or sending flowers and
gifts to patients in lieu of visiting. Family members and
friends are also able to send free e-cards through the Lourdes Web
site.
How do I know if I have the
flu?
You may have the flu if you have some or all of these
symptoms:
- Fever*
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
*It's important to note that not everyone with flu will
have a fever.
What should I do if I get
sick?
If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, you should stay
home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical
care. Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not
need medical care or antiviral drugs.
However, some people are more likely to get flu
complications (for example young children, people 65 and older,
people with asthma, diabetes or women who are pregnant) and they
should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be
examined if they get flu symptoms. Also, it's possible for healthy
people to develop severe illness from the flu so anyone concerned
about their illness should consult a health care
provider.
There are emergency warning signs which indicate the
need for medical care.
What are the emergency warning
signs?
In children:
- Fast breathing or trouble 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 but then return with fever and
worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In addition to the signs above, get medical help right
away for any infant who has any of these signs:
- Being unable to eat
- Has trouble breathing
- Has no tears when crying
- Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal
In adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever
and worse cough
Anyone who has these symptoms should get medical care
right away.
