H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) Information

Symptoms

The H1N1 virus (swine flu) can cause a wide range of symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu, including:

• fever,
• lethargy,
• lack of appetite,
• coughing.
• runny nose,
• sore throat,
• nausea,
• vomiting and
• diarrhea.

Prevent the Spread of Influenza

The main way the influenza virus is thought to spread is from person to person through coughs and sneezes.

The best way to prevent the spread of flu is to:

• Cover coughs and sneezing with a tissue or into the bend in your elbow (not into your hands)
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

For more information about the swine flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site.

Local information is also available on the Ventura County Public Health Department Web site.

H1N1 Vaccine

At this time, St. John’s does not have Influenza A H1N1 Virus vaccine.

Visiting St. John’s Hospitals during the Flu Season

For the safety of our patients and visitors, CHW/St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital are joining other hospitals in the area and nationwide in an effort to help reduce the spread of the H1N1 flu virus (formerly called “Swine Flu”), seasonal influenza, and other respiratory illnesses by implementing restrictions on visiting for our facilities beginning Friday, October 23, 2009.

During this flu season, these restrictions include:

• If you are ill, have a fever, cough, diarrhea, rash, sore throat, or runny nose, we ask that you please do not visit. Instead, please call the hospital and ask the operator to connect you to the patient.
• Children under 16 years of age are not allowed to visit (that includes not waiting in the lobbies). Please note that all minors must remain accompanied by an adult at all times while on premises. St. John's does not provide childcare services.
• Persons with appointments to visit St. John’s for meetings/classes/events or seeking medical records will be able to visit those departments/meetings/classes/events subject to the above health limitations.
• Visitors must disinfect their hands with hand sanitizer, or wash their hands, upon entering the hospital, and before entering and leaving a patient’s room.
• St. John’s staff may also require that any visitor wear a mask and/or gown/gloves while visiting a patient.
• Visiting the main hospital: Please limit visitors to two (2) people per patient in the main hospital. This also applies to visitors accompanying outpatient procedure patients. All visitors to the main hospital should check in at the front desk and be given a special wristband. The policy of two visitors per patient will be strictly enforced.
• Visiting the emergency room (ER): Please limit visitors to one (1) person at a time per emergency room patient. Other visitors of ER patients must wait in the ER Lobby. This does not apply to parents of minor children.

Thank you for helping us ensure the safety of our patients and visitors during this flu season.