Central Texas Medical Center continues to monitor, assess and adjust to the evolving needs of the suspected Swine Flu outbreak. The hospital, the only one serving Hays County, reports that there has been a steady increase in patients presenting to its 24/7 Emergency Department complaining of flu-like symptoms since Monday, April 27. To date, no patients have tested positive for the flu.
The hospital would like to remind Central Texas residents that we are still in high allergy season and respiratory problems are common for many at this time of year. “The true flu indicator is fever and body aches,” says Clay DeStefano, Administrative Director, PR & Marketing. “If folks are not experiencing ongoing fever, body aches, nausea or other symptoms commonly seen with the flu, there is no need to come to the ED,” he adds.
The hospital supports the position of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). There is cause for concern, not alarm. The CDC tells us in order to prevent further spread to others, people should not report to their doctor’s office or ED if they think they have the flu. The best thing to do is stay home, drink plenty of fluids and nurse yourself back to good health over the course of several days. If one’s symptoms worsen and one is experiencing respiratory distress or other life-threatening conditions, then a trip to the ER is appropriate.
Additionally, people should not go to work or send their children to school if they suspect the flu. If any individual in the house appears to have the flu, the best preventive measure is for all within the household to stay home. Avoiding large crowds and practicing frequent hand washing remain the best, universal defenses.
“We continue to monitor the situation via twice-daily briefings including our clinical and administrative staff and the Austin-based Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council,” adds DeStefano.
In the meantime, the hospital has put essential staff on notice that, if and when a true disaster is called, they will be moved to “active” status. Additional supplies, including gloves, masks, lab test-kits and appropriate pharmaceuticals have been ordered. The hospital is also using its internal website to aid staff challenged by area school and daycare center closings in networking with their co-workers to work out solutions.
Information and tips about the Swine Flu can be found at www.ctmc.org at the following direct link: http://www.ctmc.org/AHSISMidMenu3/SwineFluInformation.aspx. Additional information can also be found at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.