DARLINGTON - Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County and Primary Care Clinics has declared an Influenza outbreak due to the fact they are seeing a large number of patients with influenza. This is a trend seen nationwide with more cases and deaths reported than in other years.
In order to best protect area patients, staff and community, MHLC has implemented their outbreak protocol to heighten awareness of this virus and more effectively screen patients and visitors.
Influenza, or flu, symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
In the United States, influenza activity has increased significantly over recent weeks with influenza A, or H3N2, viruses predominating this season. In the past, this type of influenza has been associated with more hospitalizations and deaths in people ages 65 and older and young children compared to other age groups.
Influenza vaccine effectiveness in general has been lower against type A viruses than against other type A or influenza B viruses. In addition to influenza vaccination for prevention of influenza, the use of antiviral medications for treatment of influenza becomes even more important than usual. These medications are most effective in treating influenza and reducing complications when treatment is started early, and are recommended for outpatients and hospitalized patients with influenza.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that medical providers keep influenza high on their list of possible diagnoses for ill patients because influenza activity is increasing nationwide, and that all hospitalized patients and all high-risk patients, either hospitalized or outpatient, with suspected influenza should be treated as soon as possible with antiviral medications. While antiviral drugs work best when treatment is started within two days of illness onset, clinical benefit has been observed even when treatment is initiated later.
To fight the flu, take the following three steps:
Step 1 - Get the vaccine
It is not too late to get a flu vaccine. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year.
Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease the risk of severe flu illness. People at high risk include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people age 65 years and older. Children younger than 6 months are at high risk but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead. Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people.
Step 2 - Stop germs
Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and take preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated. Avoid close contact with sick people.
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to avoid infecting them. If sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. A fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
Step 3 - Take antiviral
medication
Take flu antiviral drugs if a doctor prescribes them. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines and are not available over-the-counter. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder, shorten the time one is sick and prevent serious flu complications. For people with high-risk factors, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay. Follow the doctor's instructions for taking this drug.
Contact a doctor if influenza is suspected and especially if at risk of complications.
In order to best protect area patients, staff and community, MHLC has implemented their outbreak protocol to heighten awareness of this virus and more effectively screen patients and visitors.
Influenza, or flu, symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
In the United States, influenza activity has increased significantly over recent weeks with influenza A, or H3N2, viruses predominating this season. In the past, this type of influenza has been associated with more hospitalizations and deaths in people ages 65 and older and young children compared to other age groups.
Influenza vaccine effectiveness in general has been lower against type A viruses than against other type A or influenza B viruses. In addition to influenza vaccination for prevention of influenza, the use of antiviral medications for treatment of influenza becomes even more important than usual. These medications are most effective in treating influenza and reducing complications when treatment is started early, and are recommended for outpatients and hospitalized patients with influenza.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that medical providers keep influenza high on their list of possible diagnoses for ill patients because influenza activity is increasing nationwide, and that all hospitalized patients and all high-risk patients, either hospitalized or outpatient, with suspected influenza should be treated as soon as possible with antiviral medications. While antiviral drugs work best when treatment is started within two days of illness onset, clinical benefit has been observed even when treatment is initiated later.
To fight the flu, take the following three steps:
Step 1 - Get the vaccine
It is not too late to get a flu vaccine. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year.
Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease the risk of severe flu illness. People at high risk include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people age 65 years and older. Children younger than 6 months are at high risk but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead. Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people.
Step 2 - Stop germs
Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and take preventive actions to stop the spread of germs. Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated. Avoid close contact with sick people.
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to avoid infecting them. If sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. A fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
Step 3 - Take antiviral
medication
Take flu antiviral drugs if a doctor prescribes them. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines and are not available over-the-counter. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder, shorten the time one is sick and prevent serious flu complications. For people with high-risk factors, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay. Follow the doctor's instructions for taking this drug.
Contact a doctor if influenza is suspected and especially if at risk of complications.