Seasonal and Novel H1N1 Flu: Information and Resources
Important Visitor Information
To protect our patients, staff and visitors this flu season, Rush University Medical Center has initiated new visitor guidelines. Since children are at the highest risk of H1N1 flu infection, no one under the age of 16 will be allowed to visit hospitalized patients at this time. Have questions about the policy? Read our Flu Policy FAQs.
We ask that all people who have flu-like symptoms, regardless of age, please refrain from visiting patients in the hospital. All visitors to the medical center will be screened upon arrival for symptoms of the flu. As you enter Rush, please let Rush staff members know if you have any of the following symptoms:
Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Headaches or body aches
Chills
Fatigue
If you're a visitor and exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, you may be asked to go home rather than potentially spread illness to others. If you're a patient coming to see your doctor and you have flu-like symptoms, you will be asked to wear a mask.
Thank you for helping us keep you, your loved ones and all of us safe.
If you have questions about treatment for flu-like symptoms, please talk with your physician. If you need a primary care physician, please contact physician referral at (888) 352-RUSH (7874).
Do you have questions about H1N1? Join a live Q&A with Rush experts on Friday, Nov. 20, from 12-1 p.m. on Facebook.
Flu Information
Each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized in the United States and 36,000 people die on average from seasonal flu complications.
There are many different flu viruses, including the novel H1N1 flu (previously called swine flu), a new influenza virus that is spreading worldwide. Scientists believe this virus may cause more illness with more severity than usual.
Anyone who wants to reduce the chance of getting the flu can get vaccinated. But certain people should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high-risk individuals.
Seasonal Flu
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu. Seasonal flu vaccination should continue throughout the influenza season into early 2010 and beyond. While outbreaks can happen as early as October, influenza activity often peaks in January or later.
H1N1 Flu
A new vaccine against novel H1N1 also has been produced and is being distributed across the country. Currently, the H1N1 vaccine is only available in limited quantities. The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine but rather to be used alongside it, which means people will need to get both.
Avoid Catching, Spreading the Flu
Both novel H1N1 flu and seasonal flu are thought to spread mostly through coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with influenza. People also may get sick by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
The CDC recommends these everyday steps to prevent the spread of all flu viruses:
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. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact (about 6 feet) with sick people
If you are sick with flu-like illness, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. People infected with seasonal and HIN1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from one day before getting sick and as many as five to seven days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems.
If you have questions, please talk with your physician. If you need a primary care physician, please contact physician referral at (888) 352-RUSH (7874).
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