We’ve seen the depleted ranks in many a workplace, and some schools have actually been forced to cancel classes due to widespread absences, all thanks to the flu. As in many parts of the United States, residents of Michigan’s Great Southwest are experiencing the not-so-great feeling brought on by an increase in the flu.
To help protect the health of their patients, Lakeland Health is asking community members to stay home and refrain from visiting loved ones at the hospital if they are currently sick and/or contagious; have a fever, runny nose, cough, body aches; are not an immediate family member of a hospitalized patient; or are less than 18 years old. Visitors who have not had a flu shot will be asked to wear a mask while in the facility and remain six feet from all patients.
The best way to prevent against the spread of the flu is to get vaccinated. Keep in mind it’s not too late to do so by contacting your primary care provider as soon as possible. Lakeland Health also reminds all community members to wash their hands, using soap and water liberally, before and after contacting any patient, and after touching any individual or surface. Avoid touching your mucous membranes (mouth, nose, and eyes) at all times, unless you have just washed your hands.
If you are exposed to the flu, either at work or at home, you can potentially prevent the disease by using Tamiflu. If you have been running a temperature, do not return to work until you are fever-free for 24 to 48 hours, even if you have been treated with Tamiflu or other medications from your primary care provider.
Hospital authorities are working to keep the spread of the flu virus from expanding even wider into the local community and ask that you willingly abide by their rules until further notice.
