The Nicollet County Flu Center Plan is complete. The 476-page Flu Center Plan is a comprehensive document that details River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic’s response to a moderate to severe influenza pandemic. If you would like to view a copy of the Nicollet County Flu Center Plan, please contact Becky Gahler, Administrative Assistant at 934-7601.
FREE H1N1 vaccines are still available
Health officials encourage continued vaccination and protection measures as the H1N1 influenza virus is still present.
It’s not too late to be vaccinated and you don’t have to wait. The vaccine is safe, effective and readily available.
Remember to continue to practice good health habits including good hand hygiene, covering coughs, sneezes, etc. and stay home if you are ill.
Vaccinations can be received at River’s Edge Clinic by calling 507-934-8480 – Walk ins are WELCOME.
Did You Know....?
There have been some questions and concerns expressed about the H1N1 vaccine. Below are some answers to help set the record straight.
• It will not be a state mandate that you get the vaccine. Before receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine, you will get a federally-required fact sheet, called a vaccine information statement (VIS). It covers the risk and benefits of the vaccine.
• The H1N1 flu vaccine is manufactured using the same process and facilities as the seasonal flu vaccine. It is in no way “experimental”.
• H1N1 flu vaccine has undergone clinical trials to ensure the safety and efficacy for both children and adults; including pregnant women.
• The federal government is taking precautions to ensure that the H1N1 vaccine is safe, just as they do each year with the “seasonal” flu vaccine.
• As with the seasonal flu vaccine, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will require the same process for the release of the H1N1 flu vaccine.
• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will be closely monitoring for any side effect that may be associated with the vaccine.
• The virus in the H1N1 flu shot is inactivated (killed) so it cannot cause the H1N1 virus. If you get the vaccine in nasal spray form (“FluMist”), the virus will be alive but weakened, so it can’t grow in the lung and cause illness.
• The H1N1 vaccine does not contain any adjuvant - (a substance added to vaccine to increase the body’s immune response to the vaccine) in any form of the vaccine– “mist” or “injectable”. In the United States only seasonal & H1N1 vaccines do not contain adjuvants.
• Some H1N1 vaccine contain Thimerosal (a preservative to prevent contamination); however, current scientific research reviewed by the Minnesota Department of Health shows no evidence of harm caused by small amounts of Thimerosal in vaccines, beyond possible minor reactions like: redness and swelling at the injection site.
Source: “H1N1 Flu Vaccine: Setting the Record Straight” (MDH – October 2009)
2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
Currently the limited supply of H1N1 Influenza Vaccine that we have at River's Edge Hospital & Clinic is for use with our current, established clinic patients that fall within the subset of the Centers for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health recommended target groups.
The subset groups are:
· Pregnant Women
· People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
· Health Care and Emergency Medical Services personnel
· Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age
· People between the ages of 25 and 64 who are at a higher risk for 2009 H1N1 Influenza because of chronic health disorders and/or compromised immune systems.
If you are not a current clinic patient of ours it is recommended that you contact your healthcare provider first to check on availability of vaccine or local public health for assistance in locating vaccine.
2009 H1N1 Influenza
River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic are following CDC guidelines and provide the following information regarding H1N1 Novel Influenza (Swine Flu).
(Updated September 23, 2009)
Did You Know…?
• There is a difference between the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu.
• The seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza (flu) viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year.
• 2009 H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that seasonal influenza viruses spread.
• The signs and symptoms of the seasonal flu are much the same as the H1N1 flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
• As many as 36,000 people die each year from what is commonly known as the seasonal flu, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized.
• There likely will be two different flu vaccines this year — one for the seasonal flu and one planned for the H1N1 flu.
• The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect people from the H1N1 flu, nor will the H1N1 flu vaccine protect people from the seasonal flu.
• Initial availability of the H1N1 flu vaccine is likely to be limited. High-risk groups will be identified and will receive priority.
• Local Public Health officials have been working with area hospitals, clinics, school districts, emergency managers, and other local, state and federal officials to develop plans to deal with both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu.
• The best way to fight off the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu is to get the two separate vaccinations.
• Watch for additional information from your provider, local public health, the Minnesota Department of Health and the news media.
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
• In addition to the flu vaccines, there are other ways to prevent getting or spreading the flu:
– Wash your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also effective.
– Cover your cough, preferably by coughing into your sleeve.
– If you are sick, stay home from work, school, the mall, etc.
– If your child is sick, keep them home from school and daycare.
• Develop a family plan in case you or your family members come down with the flu. This plan should include:
– Contact information (phone numbers, e-mail addresses) for adults in the household or others who may be asked to care for sick children.
– Contact information for your health care provider.
– Contact information for your local hospital emergency department or urgent care center.
– Contact information for your child’s school or daycare provider.
– Plans with your employer(s) in case you need to stay home to care for a sick child. Keep in mind illness from the flu could extend over several days or longer.
– Have a supply of hand sanitizer, facial tissue, pain medication/fever reducer and cough medicine on hand in the event someone in your household becomes ill.
– Practice good health habits, including getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.
This information is being provided by the South Central Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Program as a public service in cooperation with local public health departments, hospitals, clinics, school districts, long term care facilities, emergency managers and other local, county, state and federal officials.
For More Information:
|
Minnesota Department of Health
|
|
Centers for Disease Control |
Nicollet County Public Health www.co.nicollet.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Health www.health.state.mn.us
Centers for Disease Control Website www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
Personal Preparedness Website www.codeready.or
Influenza Do’s and Don’ts
(September 2009)
Flu season is upon us, and the H1N1 flu is in our community. Messages in the media have been frequent and change from day to day. To help answer questions about what staff and their family members should do if they have influenza-like symptoms, (Insert name of local health care entity) offers the following guidelines:
General information
- Do get the seasonal flu vaccine (However, see note below about availability). If you are pregnant, it is recommended you get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible
- Don’t expect there to be enough seasonal flu vaccine in the next several weeks for everyone who wants it. Suppliers have announced a delay in the availability of the seasonal flu vaccine. There will be enough for everyone – but not in the next several weeks
- Do clean your hands often with soap and water or a hand sanitizer
- Do cover your cough
- Do stay home if you are sick
- Do keep your children home from school, daycare, the mall, etc. if they are sick
If you have flu symptoms
- Don't come in to the hospital Emergency Department, Urgent Care or your primary care provider if you're generally healthy and you develop influenza-like symptoms, such as fever of 100.5 or greater, cough or sore throat, and body aches. Healthy individuals with H1N1 infection do not require treatment with antiviral medication, and you risk exposing other patients
- Don’t expect to receive antiviral medications if you are generally healthy and develop influenza-like symptoms. Providers are not prescribing antiviral medicals in these instances – in accordance with guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Don’t expect to be tested for the H1N1 flu. You won’t be. Only hospitalized patients are being tested – in accordance with guidelines established by the CDC
- Do expect to be told – if you're generally healthy and you develop influenza-like symptoms – to stay home from work, get plenty of rest and fluids, and to treat symptoms (such as headaches, cough, sore throat, etc.) with over-the-counter medications
- Do call your health care provider, however, if you have flu symptoms and you're pregnant or you have a chronic disease, such as emphysema or a heart condition, or have problems with your immune system
- Do see a health care provider for children under 5 or adults older than 65 who have flu symptoms
- Do check with your employer or your child’s school about staying home and about guidelines for returning from an absence due to the flu.
Caring for the Flu at Home
Your symptoms indicate you very likely have either the seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu. The best advice we can offer as your health care provider is to stay home, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids and treat your symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as a pain reliever or a cough suppressant.
The fact you are not receiving more aggressive treatment – for example, with prescription medications – may surprise you. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to clarify why:
Why am I not being tested for H1N1 flu when I have symptoms?
There are several reasons we are not testing patients if they are generally healthy and have flu-like symptoms. They include:
- The treatment we recommend would not change even if a test was done
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends only testing those patients who are in the hospital
- Testing adds unnecessary costs
- Testing delays your treatment and our ability to care for other patients
Why am I not being given antiviral medication (such as Tamiflu®) to treat my symptoms?
- Persons who are not at higher risk for complications or do not have severe influenza requiring hospitalization generally do not require antiviral medications for treatment or to prevent the disease
- Prescribing antiviral medication adds unnecessary costs
- Prescribing antiviral medications delays your treatment and our ability to care for other patients
Are other health care providers offering testing and prescribing antiviral medications?
- No. All health care providers in our region have agreed to follow the CDC guidelines for generally healthy patients who have flu-like symptoms
What can I do to feel better?
- Stay at home. Do not do to work or school or other places where people congregate. You will only increase the likelihood of spreading the disease
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. This includes water and non-caffeinated sports drinks. Avoid alcohol
- Treat your symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as a pain reliever, cough medicine and throat lozenges and spray
What if I don’t start to feel better in a couple of days?
Call your health care provider. Do not come into the hospital Emergency Department, Urgent Care or your primary care provider unless your symptoms get worse to include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion or severe or persistent vomiting.