H1N1 (Swine Flu) Dashboard

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Memorial Hermann hospitals revise visitation policy

The most important things you can do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of H1N1 are:

• Cover your cough or sneeze (cough/sneeze into a tissue or your shirt, not your hands)
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• If you feel ill – STAY HOME and limit contact with others; and please, do not come to the hospital as a visitor.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, face masks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

Do I need to go the emergency room if I am only a little sick?

No. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it. 

The CDC urges the public to watch for these emergency warning signs:

In children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Symptoms to see your primary care physician for (similar to the typical flu):

• Fever
• Body Aches
• Runny Nose
• Sore Throat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Call or visit your primary care physician or a clinic:

RediClinic
Neighborhood Health Center

as early as possible if you have the flu-like symptoms described above, so that you can receive appropriate treatment.