Sebasticook Valley Hospital (SVH) recommends these steps to staying healthy during this year’s flu season: get a flu vaccination now, wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and stay at home when you have symptoms of the flu.
“Flu symptoms can include a fever of over 100 degrees, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, and diarrhea and/or vomiting,” says Dr. James Baldwin, Chief of Medical Staff for Sebasticook Valley Hospital, “Before you go to the doctor or the emergency room, call first to talk to your provider about what your options are.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), certain people should receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine: those who are at higher risk of getting sick or having serious flu complications, those who are likely to come in contact with 2009 H1N1, and those who could infect young infants. (Young infants cannot receive this vaccination.) This group includes:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or provide care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical service personnel
• People 6 months to 24 years of age
• People 25 to 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1Nl flu complications because of an underlying health condition or compromised immune system.
Dr. John Baker of Newport Family Practice recommends, “Everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like the seasonal flu and H1N1, like covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (throw the tissue in the trash after you use it), washing your hands often with soap and water (if soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand rub), avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, since H1N1 germs are spread this way, and avoiding close contact with sick people.”
If you think you may have symptoms of the flu, stay home to limit contact with others and keep from infecting them. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures.
“What we encourage everyone to do is to be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for several days,” states Dr. Michelle Morgan of the Sebasticook Valley Hospital Emergency Department. “Have a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, facemasks, and other related items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you or someone you care for is sick and contagious.”
There are warning signs that should signal anyone to seek medical care urgently. In children, these symptoms are
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing - bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids and vomiting that could lead to dehydration (in infants, a lack of tears when they cry)
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with rash
In adults, the warning signs that warrant urgent medical care are:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness (a sign of dehydration)
• Confusion or becoming less responsive
• Severe or persistent vomiting that can lead to dehydration
It is important to seek immediate medical care if you or your loved ones are experiencing these warning signs.
SVH is a progressive 25-bed critical-access hospital in Pittsfield, Maine. It was established in 1963 by a group of community leaders, and has been an integral member of the communities it serves ever since. SVH is accredited by The Joint Commission, and is a proud member of the Eastern Maine Healthcare System. For more information, please contact Sue DiRosario, Director of Marketing and Development, at 487-3726 ext. 2745. |
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