The flu season just has arrived, but St. Luke’s Hospital has implemented the flu policy hospital-wide due to the recent positive results in patients presenting to the Emergency Department with influenza-like illness (ILI). St. Luke’s Emergency Department has had 16 confirmed Influenza A cases in the last two weeks. St. Luke’s Hospital would like to urge residents who have not yet been vaccinated to get their flu vaccine.
All patients with ILI symptoms are required to wear a mask when in the common areas of the hospital, such as in the ED lobby, transport, ambulating in hallways, waiting room, chapel, etc.
Visitors are asked to refrain from visiting if they have ILI symptoms.
St. Luke’s Hospital also requires staff members to wear a mask if they declined the influenza vaccine or if they have not yet developed immunity (it has not been more than two weeks since vaccination.)
“The flu can often be much worse than the common cold,” said Thomas Dashiell, MD and Hospitalist of St. Luke’s Hospital. “Colds will generally last a few days, while the flu can last much longer. Complications from colds are relatively minor, but seasonal flu can lead to pneumonia and hospitalizations. If you have symptoms of complication, it’s important to see your doctor.”
The common cold and flu are both contagious viral infections. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
Nasal congestion, sore throat and sneezing are common with colds. Both colds and flu bring coughing, headache and chest discomfort. With the flu, though, you are likely to run a high fever for several days and have headache, body aches, fatigue and weakness.
Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come on quickly. Symptoms of seasonal flu include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion and cough.
“Despite precautions, many people will catch a cold or the flu this year,” Dr. Dashiell said. “If you become ill, the most important thing to do is stay home and rest so that you get well and you don’t infect others. If you develop worsening of your condition or complications, it is important to seek additional medical attention.”
Dr. Dashiell wants to stress that the medications used to treat the flu are not curative but can lessen the severity of symptoms and decrease the duration of illness by about 24 hours.
Megan Parker, RN and infection preventionist said, “St. Luke’s employees have been briefed about procedures regarding flu prevention according to CDC guidelines. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of the community in keeping our patients and the staff who care for them as healthy as we can.
“We have also posted notices throughout St. Luke’s with common sense steps all of us can take to avoid catching or spreading the flu,” adds Parker. “These include thorough hand washing with soap or alcohol-based hand cleaners, covering coughs and, if required or advised, to wear surgical face masks. So far these procedures have worked extremely well at limiting the spread of the flu at St. Luke’s, where we provide exceptional care, close to home.”
-article submitted
by Jennifer Wilson