LAKEPORT, Calif. – As part of the kick-off of the Influenza Prevention Program at Sutter Lakeside Hospital, nurses administered 132 flu shots to employees during an annual clinical Skills Fair last week.

“We have a responsibility as health care workers not only to help our patients heal, but to protect them from communicable diseases like the flu,” said Tammy Carter, employee health supervisor at Sutter Lakeside. “We give our employees the opportunity to receive the flu vaccination each year and we’re pleased that they understand the role that this simple step plays in keeping patients safe.”

A roaming nurse will visit nonclinical areas of the hospital to administer the flu vaccine to Sutter Lakeside employees and the vaccine will be offered at the Family Medicine Clinic for all employees through November.

Dr. Karen Tait, Health Officer with the Lake County Health Services Department added, “Sutter Lakeside is to be commended for its efforts to vaccinate health care workers as a priority, which serves to protect patients who are otherwise at risk for the most severe consequences of influenza. The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccination each year.”

The CDC also recommends the following ways that health care providers can protect staff and patients from the flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Hand hygiene after touching high-use items like cell phones, door handles, and computer keyboards is particularly important.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness (see symptoms below), the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to avoid passing along the infection.

These recommendations apply to the general public, as well.  

Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.  

To learn what to do if you are sick with the flu, or if you are taking care of someone who has the flu, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm .