H1N1 & Seasonal Flu Information
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has lifted all temporary visitor restrictions.
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System is prepared for the upcoming influenza season. We are working closely with local, state and federal health officials to prepare, respond and treat those with seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
We’re providing this information to help our visitors, patients and the general public get ready for cold and flu season. Because prevention and reducing the spread of cold and flu starts with each person, we have listed resources, information and links to help you and your family.
Questions and Answers about Seasonal Flu and H1N1 - English
Questions and Answers about Seasonal Flu and H1N1 - Spanish
Download and print a list of questions and answers about seasonal flu and H1N1.
Washing Hands to Prevent the Spread of Cold and Flu
Hand washing is an important step in stopping the spread of cold and flu germs. Wash your hands using soap and water for a full 30 seconds, making sure to scrub between your fingers and backs of hands. Alcohol-based hand cleaner also works well. Download and print a guide to good hand washing.
WXYZ H1N1 Webcast: Your Questions Answered
Host Lila Lazarus, Dr. Lakshmi Halasyamani, Vice President of Quality and Systems Improvement, and Russ Olmstead, Epidemiologist, Infection Prevention and Control answers questions about the H1N1 virus.
Flu Vaccination Clinics
What Should I do if I get Sick?
If you live in an area where people have the H1N1 flu and you become sick with flu-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, stay home and avoid contact with other people. Stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without needing to use fever-lowering medicines, like Tylenol.
When to See Your Doctor
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
If you become ill and have any of these emergency warning signs, call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical care.
Warning signs in adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Warning signs in children:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
What Patients Can Expect
- Patients who need medical care and are not expereincing warning signs, should see their doctor an Urgent Care – not the Emergency Room.
- Patients may be asked questions to determine if they are at high risk for H1N1 flu.
- If it is determined you may be at high risk, you may be asked to wait in a separate area. Masks, alcohol-based hand cleaner and tissues will be available to help reduce the spread of the flu.
- Saint Joseph Mercy Health System follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria to test patients for H1N1. Not everyone with flu symptoms will be tested for H1N1.
- Clinicians may swab the nose of the patient for lab testing of H1N1.
- Clinicians may also notify local county public health department of the test to track the disease.
- Antiviral medicine, like Tamiflu, to treat the flu will only be given to patients if there is a strong medical indication of the flu.
Find an SJMHS Doctor
Find an SJMHS Urgent Care Location
H1N1 Resources from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Links to Local Public Health Departments
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