PBRMC is Getting Ready for Flu Season

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises everyone 6 months or older to get a flu shot, especially people at high risk for developing serious complications from influenza: young children, adults over 65, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and lung disease or compromised immune systems.

Adults are contagious one day before getting symptoms and up to five days after getting sick. If you think you have the flu, visit your doctor or an urgent care as soon as possible. They may be able to prescribe antiviral drugs to treat flu illness and prevent serious flu complications. High-risk individuals with the flu are particularly in need of prompt treatment.

PBRMC is offering free flu vaccination to all employees, volunteers and physicians again this year. Getting immunized is the best way to prevent getting or spreading the flu. Although vaccination is each person’s choice, we strongly encourage everyone to participate to protect themselves and others.

Our hospital is committed to providing a safe environment for patient care. We follow established industry regulations and guidelines to prevent the spread of contagious diseases such as the flu. We urge all employees, physicians and volunteers to get vaccinated to protect the health and safety of our patients and colleagues.

The best way to protect yourself and others from influenza is by getting an annual flu shot. The CDC is recommending immunization for all Americans older than six months, except people with severe egg allergies and other chronic conditions. The shot is proven to be safe and effective with very rare side effects.

Combined with vaccination, good health habits can protect against the flu – avoid contact with people who have the flu or symptoms, stay home when you are sick, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, resist touching your eyes, mouth and nose, and wash your hands frequently.

• The best way to protect yourself and others from getting or spreading the flu is by getting a flu shot.
• Flu is one of the most infectious diseases in the world. Five to 20 percent of Americans are affected by the virus each year and more than 200,000 are hospitalized. According to the CDC, the range of flu-associated deaths in a year ranges from 3,000 to 49,000.
• The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine.
• People can spread the flu even before they feel sick. Adults are contagious one day before getting symptoms and up to five days after getting sick. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable to catching and experiencing complications from the flu.
• This season’s supply of flu vaccine is anticipated to be adequate.
• It is impossible for you to get the flu from the vaccine. Getting vaccinated strengthens your immunity against the flu and is safer than risking illness.
• In addition to the flu vaccine, these good health habits can help prevent the flu: avoid close contact with people who have the flu or symptoms, stay home when you are sick, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, wash your hands frequently, and resist touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Flu Shots
We are prepared with several variations of the flu shot to be responsive to the needs of our community, including versions for children, elderly or those with compromised immune systems, and people with egg allergies.

Increase in Influenza Cases
Like other hospitals in the region, we are experiencing an increase in flu-related emergency room visits. Those especially vulnerable to experiencing the flu and serious complications are young children, adults over 65, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and lung disease. Everyone 6 months or older is advised to get a flu shot every year.

Hospital Prevention Measures
This hospital is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for patients. We follow established industry guidelines to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as flu. All employees are encouraged to get the vaccine to protect our patients, especially those with a high risk of experiencing complications.

Visitor Restrictions
This hospital has no visitor restrictions at this time. We are monitoring conditions in the community and will implement restrictions with the assistance of the health department if the need arises. We ask visitors to stay home if they are sick to avoid spreading germs to their loved ones or others who are hospitalized and at an increased risk of illness or complications.

Patients with a scheduled procedure or medical need may come to the hospital to receive care without concern. Frequent use of the hand hygiene stations located throughout the hospital is encouraged for employees, patients and visitors.

Additional Prevention
In addition to receiving the flu vaccine, these good health habits can help protect you from the flu:

• Frequently wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Resist touching eyes, nose or mouth where germs are easily spread.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Throw tissue in the trash after use and perform good hand hygiene.

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