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Swine Flu: MRHC treats 19 patients thought to have virus
Published Friday, August 14
By Brant Sappington
Staff Writer
New guidelines issued by the state department of health have led Magnolia Regional Health Center officials to treat all patients testing positive for the flu as if they have the H1N1 flu virus, commonly known as the swine flu.
MRHC officials report 19 patients who have tested positive for influenza and are being treated as having the novel H1N1 influenza virus. The health department has confirmed three cases of the H1N1 flu in Alcorn County. In a statement issued Thursday by MRHC Director of Marketing and Public Relations Joanie Vaughan, the hospital said the state health department is no longer accepting cultures from the hospital for testing for the novel H1N1 flu except under special circumstances.
The health department has told the hospital its testing data indicates almost all incidences of influenza in the state are due to the novel H1N1 virus. The department of health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have advised all hospitals to treat patients who test positive for Influenza A as if they have the novel H1N1 flu during the summer months which are normally flu free.
Health department officials continue to encourage Mississippians to take normal precautions to avoid spreading the H1N1 flu or any other virus including frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with those who are ill.
As with the more traditional forms of influenza, the H1N1 virus typically causes only mild flu symptoms but can become a more serious illness in those who are considered at high risk for complications such as the chronically ill, the very young, pregnant women and senior citizens. MRHC will host a special seminar to provide information and prevention tips for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu next Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the hospital's conference center. The program will be conducted Amy Gray, R.N., BSN, with the MRHC Office of Infection Control.
Gray will share information on both illnesses and how they can be treated and will take questions from the audience. The event is free and open to the public
