Health News
- First Two Cases Of Flu Reported In Ky.; Time To Get Your Vaccine
Flu season in Kentucky typically begins in October or November, and is right on schedule as state public health officials have reported the first two confirmed cases of the season in Jefferson and Kenton counties. Public-health officials are encouraging...
- Kentucky Has Recorded 26 Flu-related Deaths, Mostly Seniors, And 64 Outbreaks At Long-term-care Facilities; Get Vaccinated!
Kentucky has reported 26 influenza-related deaths and 64 flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities as of Jan. 8 after five consecutive weeks of widespread flu activity, and is only halfway through the flu season, which runs from October through May,...
- Flu Activity Becomes Widespread, Closing Schools
Kentucky's flu activity level has become widespread, which means at least half the regions of the state have reported confirmed cases of influenza. Schools are a testimony to this increase in activity, as they have been swamped with absences related...
- Flu Vaccine Recommended For All Over 6 Months; Pneumonia Vaccine Recommended For Those 65 And Older And At High Risk
Vaccination is the best way to keep from getting the flu, and with two influenza cases already reported in Kentucky, now is the time to schedule your annual flu shot, says the state Department for Public Health. Kentucky's flu season typically...
- New Visitor Policy For Sinai And Northwest
Due to the widespread outbreak of H1N1, Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital will temporarily modify the visitation policy to ensure the well being of the patients as well as the health and safety of our staff. Effective November 1, the following visitor...
Health News
Flu makes UK HealthCare tighten visitation rules
UK HealthCare has temporarily changed its visitation policy to help protect its patients and health care workers during the flu season, the University of Kentucky said in a news release. The measures include:
Kentucky is among 29 states and territories reporting widespread flu, which is the highest level and means at least half the regions in the state have reported confirmed cases of the flu. Last year at this time four states had reported widespread flu, says the release.
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that some of the nation's circulating flu viruses have not been covered by this years vaccine, it is still recommended that everyone six months of age and older get a flu shot.
"A flu vaccine is still the first and best way to prevent influenza," Kim Blanton, enterprise director for infection prevention and control at UK HealthCare, said in the release.
Flu antiviral drugs are available and work best for treatment when they are started within two days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high risk health condition or is very sick from the flu, says the release.
It is also important to wash your hands often, avoid people who are sick and stay home if you are sick to help prevent it from spreading.
- No visitors under the age of 12
- No visitors with any symptoms of flu-like illness
- Only two visitors will be permitted in a patient?s room at one time
- Visitors may be issued masks or other protective clothing for use when visiting
- Additional restrictions may be in place in special care units such as women's and children?s units, critical care and oncology units.
- Compassionate visitation exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that some of the nation's circulating flu viruses have not been covered by this years vaccine, it is still recommended that everyone six months of age and older get a flu shot.
"A flu vaccine is still the first and best way to prevent influenza," Kim Blanton, enterprise director for infection prevention and control at UK HealthCare, said in the release.
Flu antiviral drugs are available and work best for treatment when they are started within two days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high risk health condition or is very sick from the flu, says the release.
It is also important to wash your hands often, avoid people who are sick and stay home if you are sick to help prevent it from spreading.
- First Two Cases Of Flu Reported In Ky.; Time To Get Your Vaccine
Flu season in Kentucky typically begins in October or November, and is right on schedule as state public health officials have reported the first two confirmed cases of the season in Jefferson and Kenton counties. Public-health officials are encouraging...
- Kentucky Has Recorded 26 Flu-related Deaths, Mostly Seniors, And 64 Outbreaks At Long-term-care Facilities; Get Vaccinated!
Kentucky has reported 26 influenza-related deaths and 64 flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities as of Jan. 8 after five consecutive weeks of widespread flu activity, and is only halfway through the flu season, which runs from October through May,...
- Flu Activity Becomes Widespread, Closing Schools
Kentucky's flu activity level has become widespread, which means at least half the regions of the state have reported confirmed cases of influenza. Schools are a testimony to this increase in activity, as they have been swamped with absences related...
- Flu Vaccine Recommended For All Over 6 Months; Pneumonia Vaccine Recommended For Those 65 And Older And At High Risk
Vaccination is the best way to keep from getting the flu, and with two influenza cases already reported in Kentucky, now is the time to schedule your annual flu shot, says the state Department for Public Health. Kentucky's flu season typically...
- New Visitor Policy For Sinai And Northwest
Due to the widespread outbreak of H1N1, Sinai Hospital and Northwest Hospital will temporarily modify the visitation policy to ensure the well being of the patients as well as the health and safety of our staff. Effective November 1, the following visitor...