The Mercy Health Partners Metro Infection Control Director says that the best way to avoid contracting the flu in this public health emergency is to frequently wash your hands and following the traditional precautions to stop the spread of the flu.
 Stephanie Brooks, RN, MPH, CIC, said that washing your hands after sneezing, coughing or contact with people who might have the flu, can break the chain of flu transmission.
 “These are the same precautions that are suggested for fighting the seasonal flu that comes around every year.  While we are not seeing an increase in the number of people in our emergency rooms complaining of flu at this time, the swine flu that prompted the public health emergency is spread in the same way as seasonal flu through germs spread by sneezing and coughing.”
 Brooks listed other precautions to prevent the spread of flu germs including:
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as that spreads germs
• Try to avoid contact with sick people
• People with respiratory illness accompanied by fever should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the illness to others
• Alcohol-based hand cleaners are effective when used for hand washing

    Information is coming to Mercy facilities from the federal and state government health agencies according to Brooks.  “We are passing along this information to the ED staff so they have the latest developments in the public health emergency.  When appropriate and when patients meet the screening criteria, Mercy can send samples for testing for the swine flu to state officials for confirmation of the disease,” Brooks added. 
For physician referral and service information, please call the Ask Mercy phone line at 632-5200 (toll-free at 877-368-7362).  A complete list of Mercy physicians, facilities, services and extensive health information is available online at www.mercy.com.
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