Mayo hospital takes steps to deal with rise in flu symptoms

MAYO University Hospital is experiencing an increase in the number of patients with flu symptoms.

Management at the centre have moved, in a statement, to remind the public to take into account the following points if considering coming to the hospital:

1. Visitors should refrain from entering the hospital if they have flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle and joint pains, malaise).

2. Most people with flu symptoms recover in 2-7 days.

3. Persons with flu-like illness should contact their GPs for advice if they start to feel worse or are 65 years or older or have a long term illness.

4. Children under 2 years old with flu-like illnesses should visit their GPs.

5. Pregnant women with flu-like illness should attend their GPs or if coming to the hospital, need to phone in advance so that appropriate measures are taken.

6. Remember that antibiotics do not work against the flu virus.

7. Get the flu vaccine (recommended e.g. in pregnancy, in +65 y.o, persons with a chronic illness, healthcare workers)

8. If you have a flu-lke illness, cover your nose and mouth when coughing, discard tissues in the bin immediately after use, wash hands or use alcohol-based hand rub after discarding tissue, if no tissues use shoulder/elbow to cover mouth - do not use hands.