Our patients are in hospital for a reason, which is usually because they are unwell or need time away from home to recover.
When a person is sick and their immune system is compromised they are often more vulnerable to further illness.
That runny nose which to you seems like no big deal could lead to a far more serious outcome for your loved one.
Influenza virus, or the flu, spreads easily and can be dangerous or even life-threatening for the very young, very old or very sick.
So if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please don’t visit your loved ones when they are in the hospital.
We suggest giving them a call or simply waiting until you are feeling better before visiting.
Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sore throat
- Headache
- General aches
- Fatigue
- Coughing or sneezing
If you are due for an appointment at an outpatient clinic and you are feeling unwell, it is a good idea to call and reschedule. This will help to stop the spread of the flu throughout the hospital and to your fellow patients.
About the author
Tanya Mason-Brown is the St John of God Health Care Group Infection Control Coordinator and has more than seven years’ experience in this field. She is also an experience medical laboratory scientist and holds a Masters in Medical Laboratory Science. She has a particular interest in microbiology and infectious diseases.
