Flu Script for Staff

For people who have flu symptoms

If you have flu symptoms, DO NOT go to a hospital or to the Emergency Department.
Instead:

• Stay home
• Call your primary care doctor

If someone asks if we are testing people for flu

We are only testing people who are ill with flu-like symptoms. If a person has no symptoms, there is no reason to be tested.

Symptoms of swine flu can include fever, cough, body aches, nasal congestion, sore throat and diarrhea. If you have these symptoms and especially if you have traveled recently to Mexico or to areas of the US where cases of swine flu have been confirmed, please contact your primary care physician.

For callers who have flu symptoms but don’t have a primary care physician

• DO NOT go to a hospital or an Emergency Department unless you think you have an emergency.
• Go to a walk-in clinic or urgent care clinic.

For people who have friends/family in the hospital

We want to provide the best and safest care for our patients, families and staff in the hospital. So if you’re sick, please do not visit others in the hospital.

Common sense steps to protect your health

If you do not have flu symptoms, you can protect your health with simple, common sense steps:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

For information about swine flu, please call the Milwaukee Health Department hotline at (414) 286-3616. Information also is available online from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).