Health: October 2009 Archives

Edward Hospital announced Monday new restrictions on visitors put in place because of H1N1 flu fears.

All visitors under age 18 are prohibited, including those who want to visit a newborn sibling. All others, regardless of age, are asked to refrain from visiting, if possible. You should not visit if you have any upper respiratory signs or symptoms. Patients and visitors with any upper respiratory signs and symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat or general fatigue will be asked to wear a mask from the time they arrive until they leave or are instructed otherwise.

One can easily imagine a scenario where a parent is dying or facing serious surgery and the family wants to visit one last time, but is denied because of this policy. Of course, one can also imagine a sick visitor spreading an infection that sweeps through the vulnerable hospital population. Do you think this is something that has to be done, or is the hospital overreacting?

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1846681,Edward-restricts-visitors-H1N1_na102609.article

For awhile it seemed likely that the swine flu scary would turn out like a few other potential pandemics of recent years, such as avian flu and SARS, in other words, a lot of excitement but little real impact.

But with a second Naperville resident dying at least partially because of the flu on Wednesday, and with another death in Sandwich and more than 900 students sick at St. Charles East High School, it's starting to look like H1N1 may be for real.

Are you more worried about the flu now than a few months ago? Do you plan to get vaccinated?