Johns Hopkins Medicine's first priority is the safety and care of patients, visitors, employees and students. Due to the recent outbreak of H1N1 (swine) flu, the staff is putting in place safety measures to make sure your visit at Hopkins' institutions is safe. We're also working closely with federal, state and local public health offices to ensure we're well prepared to handle this changing public health concern. With your cooperation, we aim to make your visit as pleasant and convenient as possible.
Temporary Changes to our Visitor Policy
Johns Hopkins Medicine cares about our patients, community and visitors and we are committed to providing the highest quality of care in a safe and welcoming environment. As you may have heard, our community is seeing a dramatic increase in reported cases of the H1N1 flu. This increase is particularly prominent in the pediatric population. Because we care about you and all of our patients, we have decided to make temporary changes to our visitor policy.
Experts at Johns Hopkins Offer Parents Advice On H1N1
At an H1N1 briefing at Johns Hopkins, medical experts from The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions,the University of Maryland Medical Center, and government health officials urge parents to take prudent approach when children show signs of flu.
Watch the videos here.
Does your child have H1N1?
Read the Johns Hopkins Children's Center Guide for Parents
H1N1 Flu and Seasonal Flu: What is the difference?
H1N1 flu is different from the regular seasonal flu.
H1N1, sometimes called "swine flu," is a new strain of influenza virus that is causing illness in people worldwide. Because the virus is new, most people will not have immunity. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April, 2009. The first human cases were identified in Mexico that same month. On June 11, 2009 H1N1 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization.
The virus spreads in much the same way that regular seasonal flu viruses spread. Illnesses from the H1N1 virus have ranged from mild to severe. While most people who get sick recover without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.
What can you do?
Protect yourself and others from seasonal flu and H1N1:
- Practice normal daily hygiene
- Wash your hands frequently, particularly after a cough or sneeze
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Throw out tissue immediately after use
- Stay home if you are feeling ill
- Limit contact with others to avoid infecting them if you are ill
- Do not share towels, glasses, food or toothbrushes or have other close contact with an infected person
- Get tested by a health care professional for H1N1 if you exhibit multiple signs/symptoms of H1N1 flu
- Get vaccinated for the seasonal flu?see your health care provider to find out how
- Get vaccinated for H1N1 flu. Visit CDC's H1N1 site to stay up to date on vaccine availability and recommendations
Watch for signs and symptoms of the H1N1 flu:
- High fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea (not common)
- Vomiting (not common)
Stay up to date on H1N1 news:
- Get answers to frequently asked questions about H1N1
- Johns Hopkins Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control
- Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR)
