St. Joseph's establishes flu hotline

Oct. 6, 2009

St. Joseph's Area Health Services Community Health started up a "Flu Hotline" in response to widespread influenza affecting the public throughout Minnesota.

By dialing 218-237-5611, anyone can get the latest information on flu vaccination clinics in the area, signs and symptoms of the flu, and advice regarding what you should do if you or someone you are caring for gets sick.

St. Joseph's continues to urge the public to take simple precautions recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health in an effort avoid getting the flu or spreading it to others:

Stay home from work or school if you are sick with symptoms of the flu and remain at home until 24 hours after your fever is gone without fever reducing medication. (Stricter guidelines apply to children or staff in day care settings or early education programs. They are asked to remain home until 7 days after their symptoms first appeared or 24 hours after their symptoms go away, whichever is longer.)
Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands often and thoroughly.
Get vaccinated for both the seasonal and novel H1N1 virus as the vaccines become available. St. Joseph's Flu Hotline can give you an updated list of local flu vaccination sites and times.

A sick person should seek medical attention if they have one or more of the following conditions:

Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Gray/blue lips or skin.
A fever above 104º F (above 101º F for a child) that cannot be reduced.
Severe or persistent coughing.
A sign of dehydration.
Has had a seizure.
Is unable to move an arm or leg.
Is confused or not waking up.
Improves and then symptoms return.

Currently, routine testing for H1N1 will only be done on persons requiring hospitalization for influenza-like illness. In an effort to prevent transmission in healthcare settings, it is strongly recommended that persons with flu-like symptoms inform the clinic or hospital staff of their symptoms prior to their arrival.

For more information, check out the Minnesota Department of Health's Website