The first official week of the 2014 influenza season has arrived in full force and hospitals across Minnesota and Wisconsin are beginning to restrict visitors. Half of the hospitalizations reported to the Minnesota Department of Health have been in the Twin Cities area, but the Northeast and Aitkin areas are starting to see an increase in hospitalizations as well.
Riverwood Healthcare Center would like to remind the public to stay home if you have been ill for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care.
“Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine or 7 days have passed from the onset of your respiratory infection before visiting the hospital,” reports Michelle Farber, RN, CIC, infection preventionist at Riverwood. “This is the period of contagiousness where you can transmit to another person. People who have been exposed to influenza can also transmit influenza to others, 1-2 days before they are ill.”
Upon entering Riverwood, signage reminds visitors to not visit if they have been ill with a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness. Patients are taught to cover their coughs or sneezes with a tissue or to wear a mask until they are placed into precautions to help prevent the transmission of influenza-like-illness to our patients and staff. Over the holidays, increased reports of Norovirus-like-gastrointestinal illness were also occurring. Visitors should not visit if they have been ill with vomiting or diarrhea for at least 3-days after symptoms resolve.
“We are asking visitors to do the same thing we ask our employees,” Farber explains. “Stay home if you are ill! Our patients in the hospital are already sick and their recovery is that much more difficult if they get ill with a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness.”
Hand washing signage is placed throughout the hospital and clinics to help remind caregivers, patients and visitors to prevent the transmission of infection. Please do your part in protecting the safety of our patients.
Aitkin County Public Health reports they still have flu vaccine left and will make appointments for anyone calling who still needs to be vaccinated. All of the Riverwood clinics have vaccine available, and you can call to make an appointment by calling our flu line at 1-888-270-1882. Remember it takes approximately 10 days to reduce the chance of you becoming ill with influenza after vaccination, but it is not too late to be vaccinated.