Download tips for keeping your family well and caring for yourself during an illness. 

En Espanol: H1N1 y la Gripa de Temporada: Disminuya las posibilidades de enfermarse; H1N1 y la Gripa de Temporada: Si se enferma

On June 11, the World Health Organization declared a swine flu pandemic. St. Francis has compiled resources for you to learn more about the illness and keeping your family safe. We will also post updates on the swine flu, particularly as they apply to the Indianapolis area, on our Twitter page.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever of 100 degrees or greater, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. 

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

Help Us Protect Our Patients:

If you're planning to visit a patient at a St. Francis hospital or facility: Please rest at home if you have a fever, symptoms of respiratory illness or are feeling ill. If you are visiting our hospital, please note our new visitation policies:

• Those under the age of 15 will not be allowed to visit patients at St. Francis Hospitals in Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Mooresville.
• During periods of peak H1N1 activity as determined by the health department, visitors entering the hospitals will be asked to stop at designated stations (located at marked entry ways and near emergency departments) and fill out a brief health assessment, asking if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Those answering “yes” or displaying such symptoms will not be allowed to visit patients or enter any part of the hospital.
• Visiting hours at the three hospitals will remain 2 to 8 p.m.

To our patients: If you have a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness, immediately inform reception or health care staff. You will be asked to wear a mask to protect others.

What is St. Francis doing?

St. Francis, as always, follows standard precautions for treating and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. We are asking medical staff to implement our hospital’s isolation procedures if they encounter a patient who is manifesting symptoms consistent with H1N1. Any staff member encountering those patients would be required to take "droplet" precautions; that is the wearing of masks, including the fitted respiration mask (N95). In outpatient common and waiting areas, there are ample supplies of masks, hand-sanitizing gels and disposable facial tissues. Certainly, these are not all new actions. St. Francis is always prepared to deal with public health concerns; however, the recent H1N1 situation reminds us to be extra vigilant.

Learn more about the virus:

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Web site (Follow on Twitter)

Indiana State Department of Health Web site (Follow on Twitter)

Get your questions answered:

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has created a call center to answer general questions from Indiana residents. Residents may call (877) 826-0011 from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note, this hotline is NOT intended for the public to ask medical advice about symptoms. Call your health care provider if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Last updated Nov. 10, 2009