Oaklawn Hospital is happy to announce that the patient visitation restrictions for the Birth Center and the Medical/Surgical units have been lifted. These restrictions on visitors 18 years and younger have been in effect since October 26th, and were considered necessary to stem the spread of the H1N1 virus to our most vulnerable patients.
Surgical masks are still being provided for patients seeking medical treatment in the hospital or in the Wright Medical Building. The masks are available at each point of entry and in each department. Patients who are experiencing signs of influenza such as fever, sore throat and stuffy nose are asked to cover their nose and mouth with the surgical mask as they proceed to their destination within the hospital complex.
For up-to-date Calhoun County H1N1 Flu Information call 211.
You may also go to the Calhoun County Health Department Link www.calhouncountymi.org/departments/healthdept/communityhealthservices/swineflu.htm
Emergency Warning Signs in Children
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
Emergency Warning Signs in Adults
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Sever or persistent vomiting
Recommendations to help reduce the spread of the flu:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash you hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.
- While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic.
Plan for a pandemic:
- Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
- Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
- Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
- Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
- Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
- Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.