“In the event of widespread illness Logan Regional Medical Center is prepared to meet the needs of our community,” said Samantha Mullins, Chief Nursing Officer. “We have a very strong pandemic plan that was put into place several years ago. I think we are probably better prepared than we have ever been to handle this type of situation.”
“Our staff is organized and ready to go.” said Dawn Vandall-Canterbury, Infection Control Practitioner.
According to Vandall-Canterbury several meetings and have been held to review protocol and the staff is kept updated to any changes in the situation. She stresses that education about influenza and a few simple steps are the best methods for the prevention of flu and flu like –illnesses. She offers the following information.
• Influenza is a virus which causes respiratory illness, fever of 100 F, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, fatigue, occasionally diarrhea and vomiting. Influenza of any type if left untreated can result in pneumonia, respiratory failure, severe dehydration and death. Influenza is usually characterized by rapid onset of these symptoms within two to seven days of your initial exposure to the virus.
• Influenza is spread from the infected person expelling droplets into the air from coughing, sneezing. These droplets can then be spread by two different ways — direct and indirect contact. Direct contact a person inhaling or ingesting the droplets from the infected person by close contact three feet or closer, or if infected person coughs, sneezes into hand then shakes your hand. Indirect contact by the droplets from the infected person landing on an inanimate object such as a telephone (viruses and bacteria can live on environmental surfaces for days unless cleaned appropriately with disinfectant), then you can become contaminated by using this phone after infected person.
Tips and steps you can do to help prevent Influenza are:
• Wash hands frequently (soap and water 15-20 seconds) If soap and water not available, effective alternative is alcohol hand sanitizer
• Cover your cough. If you are sick cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or use your shirt sleeve, it will help prevent those around you from getting sick. Always throw used tissues away, don’t leave lying around.
• Seasonal flu vaccination in the fall of the year
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick (at least three feet or further away)
• When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. Stay at home when possible, especially if fever present.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and/or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, mouth (indirect contact exposure).
• If you think you are ill with the flu, seek medical attention, there are antiviral medications available that if taken early enough at onset of virus, can lessen the symptoms, and promote a faster recovery time.
• Practice other good health habits: Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
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