The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reported late last week the state's first flu-related death of the season -- an older adult from southwest Iowa.Janae Brown, a nurse practitioner with UnityPoint, said the hospital has not seen many cases yet but is preparing for a spike and has encountered patient hesitancy about the influenza vaccine."If you're sick, stay home. Especially don't want to be around new born babies or your elderly grandparents when you're sick, so stay home if you're sick, wash your hands, get your immunization, that's the best you can do," Brown said.State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse issued a statement urging Iowans to talk with their doctors about the vaccine and reminding anyone who is ill -- or whose children are ill -- to stay home. UnityPoint officials said they are emphasizing those precautions ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services also recommends that Iowans:Stay home and avoid social gatherings if you or your children are sick.Clean high-touch surfaces in your home frequently with household disinfectants.Practice hand hygiene frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if a tissue is not available, cover them with an upper shirt sleeve, not a hand.Keep children home from daycare or school who have fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat, and until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever.If you or a loved one is sick and needs medical care, contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can offer advice on whether you or your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for flu or other respiratory diseases, and the best location for care." Subscribe to KCCI's YouTube page" Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reported late last week the state's first flu-related death of the season -- an older adult from southwest Iowa.
Janae Brown, a nurse practitioner with UnityPoint, said the hospital has not seen many cases yet but is preparing for a spike and has encountered patient hesitancy about the influenza vaccine.
"If you're sick, stay home. Especially don't want to be around new born babies or your elderly grandparents when you're sick, so stay home if you're sick, wash your hands, get your immunization, that's the best you can do," Brown said.
State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse issued a statement urging Iowans to talk with their doctors about the vaccine and reminding anyone who is ill -- or whose children are ill -- to stay home. UnityPoint officials said they are emphasizing those precautions ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services also recommends that Iowans:
* Stay home and avoid social gatherings if you or your children are sick.
* Clean high-touch surfaces in your home frequently with household disinfectants.
* Practice hand hygiene frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
* Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or if a tissue is not available, cover them with an upper shirt sleeve, not a hand.
* Keep children home from daycare or school who have fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat, and until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medications that reduce fever.
* If you or a loved one is sick and needs medical care, contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can offer advice on whether you or your child needs to be evaluated in person, tested for flu or other respiratory diseases, and the best location for care.
" Subscribe to KCCI's YouTube page
" Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play