Flu Information

• If you are sick or have a cold, cough or fever, we request that you please come back when you’re feeling better to visit your loved one.
• As of October 6, 2009, children under age 14 will not be allowed in the hospital. This is for the protection of the patients and to help prevent the spread of the flu. Patient safety is our priority.
• Wash your hands often.
• Use soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizers.

Seasonal flu - a respiratory illness that occurs each year and is passed easily from person to person. Most people have some immunity and a vaccine is available.

H1N1 flu - a new respiratory illness that has infected humans in the United States and other countries.

• The H1N1 influenza (also known as “swine flu”) is a new virus that started in April.
• The seasonal influenza vaccine does not provide any protection against this new virus.
• Humans do not have immunity to the 2009 H1N1 influenza.
• No immunity means this “novel” influenza can spread quickly between people.
• Healthy young and middle-aged individuals are getting sick with this virus.

• Fever (37.8°C or 100°F) with or without chills
• Cough/head and lung congestion
• Headache and body aches
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea/nausea

• Get vaccinated for both the seasonal flu and H1N1 as soon as the vaccines are available.
• Keep your hands away from your face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds or use hand sanitizer, especially in public.
• Do not work if you are sick, and do not force children to go to school if they are sick.
• Eat right, get enough rest and avoid crowds if possible.
• Avoid anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Use good etiquette by coughing into your cuff and sneezing in your sleeve if a tissue is not available.

• Make it a house rule that hand washing is the first thing everyone does when entering the home.
• Avoid having multiple-use cloth hand towels in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Use paper towels or have a different colored towel for each family member.
• Use a disinfectant to regularly sanitize commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, faucets, light switches, toilet handles and bathroom and kitchen counters.
• When possible, open some windows as germs like stagnant air.
• If someone gets the flu, isolate that person in his or her own bedroom.
• The caregiver should wear a surgical mask when caring for the ill.
• Wash hands immediately after removing mask.
• Seek medical advice via telephone; do not go to the doctor or ER unless your doctor tells you to.

• When sick, stay at home to avoid exposing others.
• The CDC recommends you stay home for seven days after symptoms begin or until you are symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
• Wipe the phone, desk, keyboard and computer mouse with a disinfectant every day.
• Do not use anyone else’s pen or pencil, and use your elbow to push elevator buttons.
• Shake hands only if you must; remember not to touch your face.

• Do not touch handrails or motorized walkways at the airport.
• Wipe down your airplane tray table and armrest with a disinfectant wipe.
• Stay hydrated.
• Bring a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer or wipes in your carry-on.
• Wipe down the steering wheel, door handles and gearshift of a rental car with a disinfectant wipe.
• Use a disinfectant wipe to clean often-touched surfaces in your hotel room.

If you have questions, contact your health care provider or visit www.flu.gov. For more information, call 1-800-cdc-info (1-800-232-4636) or Los Angeles County Health Department at 1-888-865-0564.