Highland County Health Department, Highland District Hospital Preparing to Limit the Spread of Respiratory Illnesses Including H1N1

      In an effort to raise public awareness and prevent the spread of influenza, the Highland County Health Department is encouraging all persons to receive the seasonal influenza vaccination. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your children from the flu. Because pandemic H1N1 flu is circulating in Ohio along with seasonal flu, you will need many defenses to protect yourself and your family from flu this year. To keep from spreading respiratory illnesses such as seasonal influenza, H1N1 virus and other influenza strains, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends careful hand washing, coughing and sneezing into a tissue and immediately throwing tissues away after use and washing your hands. If tissues are not available, sneeze or cough into the sleeve of your elbow. Also, getting plenty of sleep and eating a healthy diet will aid in a good immune system. If you or your family does develop flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school at least 24 hours after being fever-free without use of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Motrin. 

     Joining in the effort to keep our community healthy, Highland District Hospital implemented visitor restrictions. The limited visitation policies serve as a precautionary measure, designed to minimize the spread of respiratory illnesses that may include seasonal influenza, H1N1 virus, and other influenza strains to hospital patients and health care workers. 

The visitation restrictions are as follows:

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

• No visitation by anyone under age 14.

 

     “Our primary goal is to keep our patients safe. We are working hard to protect our patients and staff as much as possible from being exposed to respiratory illnesses, and seasonal influenza including H1N1,” stated Cathy Faulconer, RN, Infection Control Practitioner of Highland District Hospital.  Although infected persons may spread the virus one day before exhibiting symptoms, we are making every attempt to keep our patients safe inside the hospital. Therefore, all patients will be asked screening questions upon registering. If patients are believed to have flu-like symptoms, they will be given a respiratory hygiene pack, which consists of a surgical mask, small box of tissues, and an instruction card regarding respiratory hygiene. In addition, we have put ‘respiratory etiquette’ practices in place including making alcohol hand gel, tissues and surgical masks available to patients and visitors throughout the hospital. 

The Ohio Department of Health suggests when and where to seek care if you think you have the flu:

• Those who have flu symptoms, coupled with other risk factors such as asthma or diabetes should contact their health care providers.

• Those exhibiting severe symptoms should go to the Emergency Department.

• Severe symptoms in children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish or gray skin color and/or purple or blue discoloration of the lips

• Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when crying

• Severe or persistent vomiting which may include being unable to keep liquids down

• Inability to wake up or interact, is less responsive than normal and becomes confused

• Irritability and lack of desire to be held

• Flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return with a fever and worse cough

• Seizures (such as uncontrolled convulsions)

• Severe symptoms in adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Purple or blue discoloration of the lips

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing or absence of urination

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting, which may include being unable to keep liquids down

• Flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

• Seizures

 

     The Highland County Health Dept. and Highland District Hospital must comply with state and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines with regard to testing for H1N1. Therefore only patients with influenza-like illness who are being hospitalized will be tested for H1N1, the only exception to the testing protocol may be requests from state health departments to test individuals who are part of a group or cluster that is at high-risk.

     Initial shipments of H1N1 vaccine are being prepared for shipment to states and local communities within the week. Highland County Health Department is expecting to receive the initial shipment during the week of October 12. The initial shipment of vaccine will be used for healthcare workers with direct patient care and emergency medical personnel. As vaccine becomes available, high risk groups such as children 6 months thru 24 years of age, pregnant women, and adults aged 25 thru 64 with certain medical conditions will be vaccinated. Once vaccine supply is abundant, all persons wanting to receive the H1N1 vaccine may do so. For further information, please contact the Highland County Health Department at 937.393.1941 or visit the Center for Disease website at www.cdc.gov.