AWS Flu Preparedness Plan

The CDC has predicted a significant increase in the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus during the fall months of 2009. As your healthcare provider, we want you to be aware of our recommendations to help you reduce your risk of flu infection.

These are our recommendations:

Get the Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Vaccinations

All patients, and especially pregnant patients, should get vaccinated.
Since pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing flu-related complications, we strongly recommend all pregnant women (and encourage all others) to get vaccinated against seasonal flu and H1N1 (Swine) flu.
To underscore the importance of this recommendation, we will be offering the seasonal flu injections to our pregnant patients (while supplies last) for the first time ever. We also anticipate offering the H1N1 vaccination. We'll provide additional information on this in the coming weeks.
If you are a pregnant patient of ours, we will offer you the flu shot when you come in for a regularly scheduled OB appointment beginning on October 1, 2009. We are also offering Flu Clinic days at each office. In our Alpharetta office, a Flu Clinic will be offered on October 13. In our Meridian Mark office, a Flu Clinic will be offered on October 15. On these days, an appointment is not necessary; just walk-in and get your flu shot.
We encourage you to check with your insurance company to be sure these flu vaccinations are covered benefits on your plan
The price for flu vaccinations cost (if you do not have insurance coverage for flu vaccinations) is $25.
If you have Medicaid insurance, you can get the flu vaccinations for free at any county health department clinic. Of course, we will be happy to give you a flu shot, but we will charge you $25.

Take simple actions to stay healthy

Wash your hands often. Washing your hands often is the single most effective way of preventing the spread of infection. Wash your hands with soap for 15-20 seconds, or you may use an alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Take Flu antiviral drugs when recommended.
If you get seasonal or H1N1 flu, antiviral drugs (Tamiflu) can treat the flu. Depending on your symptoms we may recommend that you take Tamiflu, especially if you are pregnant.
Tamiflu is a prescription medication that fights against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. It is not sold over-the-counter and is different from antibiotics. Tamiflu can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. It may also prevent serious flu complications.
Tamiflu may be especially important for people who are very sick (hospitalized) or people who are sick with the flu and who are at increased risk of serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, young children and those with chronic health conditions.
For treatment, Tamiflu works best if started within the first 2 days of symptoms.
There is limited data that suggests Tamiflu is not a major cause of birth defects.

Other important information about flu and flu symptoms:

The signs and symptoms of the H1N1 flu are fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Call our office immediately should you develop any of these symptoms.

What To Do If You Get Sick

Stay at home and limit your contact with others. Call one of our phone nurses before making an appointment to be seen. This will reduce the chance of exposing other pregnant women to the flu, and it will also protect you from other potential exposures. You should plan to limit your contact with others to lessen the chance of spreading the flu to your family and friends.

If you are in close contact with someone who has the H1N1 flu, please contact us to determine whether or not you need a prescription to help prevent you from developing the flu.

Plan To Get Emergency Medical Care If You Develop the Following Symptoms:

Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Fever over 101 that is not responding to Tylenol

Stay informed

Be sure to keep up to date on new information. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a great deal of information about flu preparedness and prevention. Their information is available in many different languages. Here's a link to the CDC website where new information will be posted regularly.