In an effort to lessen the spread of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) and seasonal flu, UCLA Health System offers the following preventive measures, tips on what to do if you or someone you know becomes ill, and when it is appropriate to visit someone in the hospital during this flu season.
Precautionary Measures:
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
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 hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Get vaccinated (seasonal flu and H1N1).
Other important actions that you can take are:
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
What to do if you get sick?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, stay home, avoid contact with others, and drink plenty of fluids. These are typical symptoms of both the seasonal flu and H1N1 influenza. Contact your personal physician if any of these symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop:
Fever
Headache
Extreme tiredness
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle aches
Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
The following high-risk persons should seek medical attention or guidance via your personal physician if they develop any symptoms:
Pregnant women
Children younger than 5 years of age
Persons any age with certain chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems
Persons 65 years and older (this population has less susceptibility to H1N1 but high risk to seasonal flu)
If you do come to the Emergency Department or Outpatient Clinic areas to be seen as a patient and you are experiencing these symptoms, you will be asked to wear a mask to potentially reduce the spread of infection and further protect you from contracting further infection.
*The Centers for Disease Control recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care. (Your temperature should be normal without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings.
Hospital Visitation Guidelines:
We recognize the importance and positive impact of patient visitation by family and friends. However, if you are ill or are experiencing any flu-like symptoms we ask, with respect to hospital/patient safety, to please avoid visiting the hospital until 24 hours after your fever is gone.
In pediatric, perinatal, neonatal, and Child Life areas, children under the age of 16 years will not be allowed to visit unless pre-authorized by hospital staff.
Patients are encouraged to advise friends and family members who may be ill to stay home until 24 hours after fever and flu symptoms are gone.
Screening mechanisms may be implemented at all hospital entrances to minimize spread to patients within the hospital facility.
In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.
