Seasonal and H1N1 Influenza Information

Many people are concerned about H1N1 and seasonal influenza. For the most current updates, visit: Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control. In addition, on the October 11 podcast of Healthy Matters, Dr. John Hick, a nationally recognized expert in emergency preparedness, discusses important information about H1N1 influenza.

For health and safety information in different languages (Soomaali, español, etc.) and for those with limited English proficiency, go to ECHO for influenza resources.

I am sick. What should I do?

I am not sick. How can I stay healthy?

I want to visit a patient at HCMC. What do I need to know?

I want a flu shot. Where can I go?

I am sick. What should I do?

The symptoms of the H1N1 influenza virus are also similar to seasonal influenza and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  A significant number of people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Most people who have been sick with this virus in the U.S. have recovered at home without treatment.  If you or a family member has flu-like symptoms, the ill person should stay at home until he or she has not had a fever for 24 hours.  It may not be necessary to come to the clinic unless you are in a high-risk group or are having severe symptoms. The clinic will not test for influenza unless it is medically necessary.  Only select high risk people will be treated with antiviral medicine.

If you or a family member have flu symptoms and are in the following high risk group: under 5 years of age, over 65 years of age, is receiving long-term aspirin therapy, is pregnant or has any high-risk medical conditions such as asthma, chronic lung, heart, liver, blood, neurological, or metabolic disorders or any person having a suppressed immune system, please stay on the line to speak with our scheduling staff.

Seek emergency medical care or call 911 if the ill person experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Has difficulty breathing or chest pain,
• Has lips that look bluish,
• Is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down,
• Has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, no urination. In infants, a lack of tears when crying is also a sign of dehydration.
• Has seizures
• Is less responsive than normal or
• Becomes confused.

I am not sick. How can I stay healthy?

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough
  or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  

Try to avoid close contact with sick people

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through
  the coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work
  or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

I want to visit a patient at HCMC. What do I need to know?

For the safety of our patients, some of our visiting policies have changed.

• Do not visit if you have flu symptoms (fever, cough, cold, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea).
  
• Wash your hands or clean them with alcohol foam before entering and after leaving a patient's room.

Temporary policies effective 11-2-09

• Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  
• No children under 5 years of age will be allowed to visit hospital patients. 
  
• No visitors under the age of 16 will be allowed to visit unless they are immediate family members of a patient. Some areas have more restrictive policies.
  
• No more than three visitors are allowed in a patient’s room at one time.  
  
• Only family members are allowed to visit patients hospitalized with influenza-like illness.
  
• Some areas of the hospital require a brief health screening prior to entry
  
• Compassionate exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

I want a flu shot. Where can I go?

Hennepin County Medical Center currently does not have seasonal flu vaccine available for patients and is not scheduling any new appointments to get the vaccine at this time.

Hennepin County Medical Center currently does not have any supply of the H1N1 vaccine.

This message will be updated when vaccine becomes available.