Eight patients of the University Teaching Hospital in Wrocław have symptoms of the so-called swine flu (AH1N1). The facility suspended the admission of patients to the cardiology department, forbade visits and isolated infected patients.
As the deputy director for medical treatment of USK, Dr. Bogusław Beck, emphasizes, the entire hospital is operating normally. Procedures related to the epidemiological risk were applied only in the cardiology department. – After cases of swine flu were diagnosed, we followed the required procedures in this unit. We also suspended admitting elective patients to this ward and asked the ambulance service to redirect cardiac emergencies to other hospitals, Beck said.
The first case of swine flu was reported by the hospital on Monday, January 14. Visiting cardiology is forbidden from Tuesday. – We have eight patients with AH1N1 flu symptoms. In the case of one, we are still waiting for confirmation. Patients are isolated from the rest and the discharge procedure has been applied for those who do not necessarily remain in the ward, says Deputy Director of Nursing Violetta Magiera.
According to the head epidemiologist of the hospital, prof. Jarosław Drobnik, one of those infected with swine flu, is a patient in a nephrology clinic. – This patient is already in the hospital with flu symptoms and is also isolated. The condition of all patients is reasonably good, not to say good. Everything is under control – says Prof. General purpose.
According to the head of the Department of Paediatrics and Infectious Diseases of the USK, prof. Leszek Szenborn, the illnesses are the result of the flu season beginning, and there is no reason to be concerned. – It is the same virus from the AH1N1 group that caused new diseases in 2009 and was referred to as the swine flu virus, but it is by all means a human flu virus that has a high potential, both infectious and pathogenic. This is the virus against which the vaccine offers the best protection.
The doctor reminded that this year, as part of prophylaxis, vaccinations for the elderly were refunded, which was of great interest in this age group. – It is still possible and it is worth getting vaccinated. For a person who has already had contact with an infected person, vaccination is not a sufficient preventive measure. She should be taking antiviral medicine for 10 more days. Fortunately, we can treat all severe cases of influenza – says Prof. Szenborn.
Doctors would like to remind you that as part of the prevention measures in the flu season, it is worth refraining from shaking hands when greeting greetings, wearing masks, washing your hands more often, coughing not your hands, but your sleeve, and opening the door not with your hand, but with your elbow.