Texas Children's Hospital
 
   

     2009 Flu Season
 


Overview

Get Vaccinated

Protect Yourself and Your Family

What to Do About Flu Symptoms

Myths & Facts 

H1N1 FAQs

Latest Flu Updates from Texas Children's


Bookmark and Share


Donate Now

 
 

Information on Seasonal and H1N1 Flu

LATEST FLU UPDATES
From Texas Children's Hospital

VISITOR POLICY EFFECTIVE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009

To provide as safe an environment as possible for our patients and the children in our community and in accordance with recommended influenza prevention and control procedures, Texas Children's is implementing enhanced precautions for hospital visitation.

We have been actively screening all visitors to clinical areas for flu-like symptoms. Any visitors exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be asked to leave the hospital to avoid the possibility of infecting others.

Additionally, effective Monday, October 5, Texas Children's is permitting only visitors over the age of 12 to all inpatient areas.

These precautions will be in effect until the hospital determines that they are no longer necessary.

Texas Children's Hospital is committed to the health and safety of our patients, families, visitors and staff and we are taking all necessary infection control measures.

If you have fever and 1 or more of the following symptoms please immediately leave the hospital to avoid possibly infecting others:

  • cough
  • sore throat
  • nasal congestion
  • runny nose

Please do not return until you have been free of symptoms for 24 hours. If you feel you need medical attention, please contact your primary care provider.

Testing & Treatment Guidelines
Texas Children's Hospital is following the Texas Department of State Health Services recommendations regarding influenza testing and treatment. This will allow us to focus on providing care for those children who present in our Emergency Center with more severe health conditions.

Influenza testing will only be conducted for:

  • children admitted to the hospital with respiratory illness, or
  • children presenting with influenza-like illness who have an underlying health condition that makes them more susceptible to complications of influenza.

Texas Children's will only prescribe anti-viral medicine (like Tamiflu) to:

  • children displaying moderate to severe influenza symptoms, or
  • children with mild influenza symptoms and underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to complications associated with influenza

Anti-viral medicine will not be dispensed from the Texas Children's pharmacy to outpatients.