Influenza season is here and hospitalizations and visits to the emergency department at Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center and clinics for flu-related illness has increased in the past couple of weeks.
Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center is asking that visitors be limited to immediate family only, due to high levels of influenza and influenza like illness. To protect patients and children in the community, the hospital is requesting children to not visit at this time.
The following precautions will help protect people from influenza and other illnesses circulating in the community:
• Clean hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub;
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze;
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• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
• Disinfect high touch surfaces and objects frequently.
The best way to protect yourself and family against the flu is to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a flu vaccine for anyone who is 6 months old or older. Some people who get the flu shot may still get the flu but typically symptoms will be milder.
"Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from the flu," Kari Russell, registered nurse and infection preventionist at Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center, stated in an email release. "Other precautions you should take include cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol based hand rubs, and do not go to work or school if you are sick."
Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
• The CDC recommends you stay home for 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
• Essentia Health encourages the public not to visit patients in the hospital unless they are immediate family and they do not have a fever or cough.
Flu vaccine is available at all of the Essentia Health Clinics. To make a flu vaccination appointment call the local Essentia Health Clinic or 218-828-7100. The cost of a flu vaccine is covered by Medicare Part B, Medicaid and most private insurance companies.
