Flu Information

Information about the Seasonal Flu and
the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

Beebe Medical Center is committed to the care and prevention of illness in our community. With the flu season beginning, Beebe Medical Center would like to inform the community on where they can go for information. In addition to the seasonal flu season there is much concern regarding H1N1 flu (Swine Flu). Below you will find information on seasonal flu vaccinations and H1N1 flu vaccines.
Read hospital visitation guidelines.

Seasonal Flu

The seasonal flu immunization is highly recommended for:

  • People 65 years and older
  • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
  • Adults and children six months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, chronic kidney disease, weakened immune systems or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS)

Those who should consider getting the vaccination are:

  • People 50–64
  • Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of young children up to 23 months of age.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has determined that H1N1 (swine) influenza virus is contagious and can be spread from human to human. The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people report diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1. 

Beebe Medical Center would like to share the following websites with you for information on H1N1 flu. Beebe Medical Center will not be holding H1N1 flu clinics.

The Delaware Department of Public Health:
http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/index.html

General Information from the Center for Disease Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm

Group Specific Information from the Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/groups.htm

Delaware Hospitals Offer New Visitation Guidelines

Hand sanitizerSafeguarding patients, visitors and the community
Delaware hospitals have collectively agreed to new visitation guidelines to protect patients, their loved ones and health care workers from both seasonal and H1N1 flu. Many states nationwide are implementing new temporary visitation guidelines as a result of increasing concern over containing the spread of both seasonal and H1N1 flu.

Effective immediately visitors to patients in Delaware hospitals are limited to persons age 16 or older. Teens younger than 16 are at greater risk for flu complications and remain contagious longer than adults.

  • If you have flu-related symptoms (fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting), do not visit the hospital, unless you are seeking treatment for yourself.
  • If you are visiting a hospital, you may be asked to wear an isolation mask.
  • Cough or sneeze into your inner elbow and not into your hands.
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. If you touch a potentially contaminated surface with your hand, you can easily spread a virus to yourself by touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
  • If you can do it comfortably, wear an isolation mask if you must be around others who may already have the flu.
  • If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, we encourage you to stay at home until you recover fully. However, seek medical attention immediately if your symptoms become severe and you experience any of the following: Difficulty breathing or chest pain; discoloration of your lips; vomiting and regurgitation of liquids; seizures; confusion or lack of responsiveness; dehydration; absence of urination; or dizziness while standing.

"To ensure the highest standards of safety for our patients, Delaware hospitals encourage all citizens to take these precautions," said Delaware Hospital Association President & CEO Wayne Smith.