Contact:Kirk Singer

(910)457-3900

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2009

Dosher Memorial Hospital Watchful as Flu Season Approaches

(Southport, NC) Physicians and staff at DosherMemorialHospital, Southport, are keeping a watchful eye on the approaching flu season. According to Kirk Singer, hospital spokesperson, this particular flu season will especially require special attention, due to the nationwide spread of the H1N1 virus earlier this year. “The segment of the population expected to be impacted by the H1N1 strain will be different from those who are typically affected by the seasonal flu,” he said.

“Those considered ‘at risk’ for seasonal flu have traditionally included anyone over the age of 65. It is anticipated that the H1N1 virus may be more prevalent among the very young to middle aged individuals,” said Singer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), evidence seems to suggest that population immunity to the novel H1N1 virus is low, particularly among the very young. Thus far, in most cases of the illness, hospitalization and death associated with novel H1N1 infection have occurred among persons under the age of 65.

Groups at increased risk of influenza-related complications, according to the CDC, include pregnant women, those with asthma, COPD, diabetes, chronic cardiovascular disease, and immunocompromised individuals. These are the same groups previously recognized as at greaterrisk of severe illness from seasonal influenza. In addition, morbid obesity may represent an additional risk factor for severe illness. In addition, students and teachers in schools (K-12) and children at least six months of age and staff of child care centers, as well as new parents and household contacts of newborns have also been named as potential at-risk groups for novel H1N1. Unlike seasonal influenza, where persons 65 years and older are most likely to be hospitalized or die from influenza-related complications, this age group has been substantially less affected by novel H1N1 virus than younger age groups.

Production of a vaccine to protect against the novel H1N1 virus is near completion and is expected to be ready for distribution this fall. However, regardless of the availability of an H1N1 vaccine, one of the best ways to protect against the spread of the virus is to frequently wash your hands or use hand sanitizer and cover coughs and sneezes, just as you would to prevent the spread of the seasonal influenza, according to Lisa Tyson, RN, COHN-S, Director of Employee Health/Infection Prevention and Control at Dosher. “The CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released a list of everyday actions

Dosher Memorial Hospital • 924 N. Howe St., Southport, NC 28461 • (910)457-3800 •

DOSHER WATCHFUL AS FLU SEASON APPROACHES (2-2-2-2)

everyone can practice during the coming flu season to help prevent the spread of germs that cause both the seasonal and novel H1N1 viruses,” said Tyson.

Recommended ways to stay healthy and guard against the flu this season include:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Also, do not visit patients in the hospital or any other healthcare facility if you think you may have the flu.

In addition, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. This is a change from the CDC’s recommendation earlier this year that those infected with novel H1N1 virus stay home for seven days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever was longer, according to Tyson.

Dosher Memorial Hospital is encouraging patients and visitors to use discretion with regard to hospital visitation during the coming flu season. Currently, the hospital is not imposing restrictions on visitors under the age of eighteen. However, since this age group is considered among those more at-risk for the H1N1 virus, visitors are urged not to bring younger children to the hospital unless absolutely necessary.

Singersaid the hospital will continue to monitor patients admitted to the hospital and treated in Dosher’s Emergency Department to determine the need for further restrictions as the flu season progresses. Singer encourages Dosher Hospital patients, visitors and staff to utilize the stations with hand sanitizer and tissues located strategically throughout the hospital, and said patients registering for treatment who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms are encouraged to request a face mask from the patient registrar upon checking in. “At Dosher, we want to do all we can to minimize the spread of both the seasonal and the H1N1 flu this year. We feel public education and information as well as practicing the proper precautions are our best chance at keeping people as healthy as possible.”

# # #