News Release
Protecting hospital patients during flu season
January 18, 2010
Mercy Medical Center is requesting all hospital visitors to refrain from visiting hospitalized friends or family members if they have had flu-like symptoms during the past seven days. Flu symptoms include:
- Fever*
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Chills
- Occasional diarrhea or vomiting
*It’s important to note that some people with flu will not have a fever.
If you are visiting an ill patient, you may be required to wear a mask. Masks are provided for your protection as well as for that of those around you and help to prevent the spread of flu-like illnesses.
In addition, to help prevent the spread of illness, all visitors are required to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand gel upon entering and exiting a patient’s room.
Additional information about seasonal and H1N1 influenza is available by visiting the Iowa Department of Public Health Web site at: http://www.idph.state.ia.us.
Contact Gregg Lagan
Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines
515-247-3050
cell 515-490-6636
Help prevent the spread of the flu by posting these flyers at your business, church or school.
Please use these resources for more information about seasonal and H1N1 influenza:
- Toll-free IDPH Influenza Hotline: 800-447-1985
- Iowa Public Flu Vaccination Site Locator
- Seasonal Influenza
- H1N1 Influenza
