Follow:
Share:

Preventing the flu

Vaccinations
Hand washing important
Stay home if sick

The seasonal flu and the novel influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) are highly contagious and present a potential public health threat.

The severity of the two illnesses may vary from person to person with certain groups at a higher risk for serious consequences.

Because the flu is so easily passed from person to person, we all have an obligation to do what we can to avoid the flu and to avoid passing it to others if we become ill.

Marshfield Clinic recommends you take the following precautions to protect you, your family and your community from the flu.

Flu vaccinations are the most important steps you can take to protect you, your family and your community.
Both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu spread when you sneeze or cough. It is important to avoid close contact with someone ill with the flu, if possible.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you sneeze or cough, dispose of the tissue and then wash your hands.
You can also encounter flu viruses by touching an object that has been handled by a person with the flu.
Thoroughly washing your hands with warm water and soap or using an alcohol-base hand disinfectant will help you stay healthy.
Avoid putting your hands near your eyes, nose or mouth, as these are easy entries for the virus. Use sanitizing wipes to help disinfect objects that may pass the flu virus to you or others.
If you become sick with flu-like symptoms, including a fever of 100 degrees or higher, stay home from work and public places to prevent further spread of the flu.
In some cases, schools and day care facilities may close – plan for alternative care for children if they do not have the flu but can’t go to school or to their normal day care arrangement.

Marshfield Clinic is prepared to help you prevent the flu by offering flu vaccination clinics throughout central and northern Wisconsin. In addition, we offer treatment for the flu. Other services include:

Marshfield Laboratories has the expertise to quickly identify viruses that cause respiratory illness.
Marshfield Clinic has rooms that are specially fitted with air purification systems to treat patients with suspected respiratory illnesses. These rooms are located at Marshfield Clinic Centers in Marshfield, Wausau, Park Falls, Minocqua, Rice Lake, Eau Claire, Merrill and Ladysmith.
Marshfield Clinic staff is equipped with special gowns and masks, which they may wear when caring for patients suspected of having the flu.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are stationed throughout the Clinic system to encourage frequent hand hygiene.
Patients with coughs and fever will be offered tissues to cover their cough or sneeze and may be asked to wear masks and sanitize their hands.
Staff members with fever and a cough are being encouraged to stay home to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.