Press Releases, News and Information

H1N1 (Swine) Flu

Although the outbreak of H1N1 (swine) flu appears to be ebbing across the country, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and stress the importance of getting vaccinated – particularly for the priority groups – pregnant women, children and people with weakened immune systems and chronic disease.
All Floridians can help slow the spread of this virus by getting vaccinated as soon as possible and by washing their hands frequently and staying home from school or work if they become ill.

Meanwhile, we're beginning to see the other seasonal viruses, not influenza, that cause colds and flu-like symptoms and fever. They are common at this time of year and likely will increase throughout December, January and February.

Infectious disease specialists at Sarasota Memorial continue to work closely with federal, state and local health officials to monitor and help manage the H1N1 pandemic. We’ve taken a number of precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus within the hospital, including careful screening for influenza-like illness of people who come to our outpatient centers and Emergency Care Center, as well as ongoing monitoring of patients and staff in the hospital. We continue to implement emerging guidelines issued by the World Health Organization, CDC and Florida Department of Health to help manage the care of patients who potentially suffer from the H1N1 virus and stand ready to take additional steps as needed to help assure the safety of patients, visitors, staff and the community.

Vaccine Still Available
The Sarasota County Health Department is offering free vaccinations to children and adults. Visit the Sarasota County Health Department website (www.sarasotahealth.org) for H1N1 flu vaccine information.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection we have against flu.
  
• Influenza spreads mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Take these everyday actions to stay healthy:
  • 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. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If you think you may have the flu
Seek medical care.
If you are experiencing cough, fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, please stay home. If your symptoms worsen or you have chronic medical conditions, seek early medical care. Contact your healthcare provider before going to the office or clinic so that you or your child does not needlessly expose others in the waiting room.

If you or your children experience any of these emergency warning signs, seek medical care right away.

Emergency Warning Signs
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• 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

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough