Crossing Rivers Health takes additional steps to protect patients during flu season
“Recently, you may have noticed many people in the community have been ill with influenza-like-symptoms. Similarly, in the past several weeks, there has been a rise in the number of patients visiting the Crossing Rivers Health Emergency Department and our primary care clinics in Prairie du Chien and Fennimore due to these illnesses,” states Brian Simmons, Infection Control Practitioner at Crossing Rivers Health.
Typical symptoms commonly associated with influenza are sudden onset of fever, shivering, chills, dry cough, loss of appetite, body aches and nausea. Influenza-like-illnesses are easily and most often spread as a result of coughs or sneezes. Believe it or not, according to Singapore's National University, a sneeze from one person with influenza can spread up to 20,000 flu germs into the air.
At Crossing Rivers Health, the safety and well-being of our patients, visitors, staff and community members is our highest priority. We have taken several important actions to help prevent the spread of influenza in our hospital and clinics, and ensure everyone’s safety during what is proving to be a very busy influenza season. We ask that if you have a cold, cough, fever or flu symptoms please not visit patients in the hospital. While we realize these precautionary actions may result in some inconvenience to family members and other visitors, we appreciate your understanding and support.
Simmons adds, “If you have any questions or concerns about visiting a patient at Crossing Rivers Health during this influenza season, please call 608-357-2000 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and ask to speak with our nurse navigators. Our entire health care team appreciates your cooperation and understanding. Together, we can prevent the spread of the flu in our hospital and our community this season.”