Flu Season 2014: How Can You Help to Prevent the Spread of Flu?

Did you know that the flu is easily and most often spread as a result of coughs, sneezes or simply talking? Believe it or not, a sneeze from one person with the flu can spread up to 20,000 flu germs into the air.

At Houston Healthcare, the safety and well-being of our patients, visitors and staff is our highest priority. In an effort to inform and educate our community, here are a few suggestions to help prevent the spread of flu at a healthcare facility:

• Call the patient before visiting. Rethink your visit and place a call to the patient to see how they are doing. Limiting the number of visitors per patient will help control the spread of the illness.

• Limit the amount of visitation time for children. Since children are more likely to get sick and spread the flu, please take into consideration the age and health of your children before making a visit to see a patient.

• Please wash your hands frequently. Look for hand-washing stations around the hospital, and use them often. Please make sure to clean your hands when entering and leaving the hospital either by washing with soap or rubbing your hands together with hand sanitizer.

• Please do not visit the hospital if you have symptoms of the flu. Signs of the flu include fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose or sore throat.

• If you haven’t already, get the flu vaccine. Getting the simple shot can help increase your chances of staying healthy and avoid getting others sick.

Together, we can prevent the spread of the flu in our community this season.

HHJ News