More Information About Swine Flu Posted on November 15, 2009 by Dakota PikeMore flu resources:Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is committed to providing you with the information you need for 2009/2010 flu season. We now have a new section on our website specifically to share information that will help keep you and your family healthy this flu season.Please contact Littauer’s Flu Resource Line:518-773-5399What Everyone Should Know About H1N1(Source: New York State Department of Health)What are the symptoms of the H1N1 virus? The flu usually starts suddenly and may include these symptoms: fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may occur in children but are rare in adults.Are some people at higher risk for complications than others from getting the flu? Yes. People at high risk for serious flu complications include older people, young children, and people of any age with certain health conditions.What are the complications associated with the H1N1 virus? Some of the complications caused by flu include pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.What is the difference between a cold and the flu? The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests can be carried out, when needed, to tell if a person has the flu; these tests usually must be done within the first few days of illness.What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold? In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds tend to develop gradually, while the flu tends to start very suddenly. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.What should I do if I’m experiencing flu like symptoms? According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) it is important for anyone with flu like symptoms to do the following:RestDrink fluidsTake fever reducers (i.e., Tylenol, Motrin)Contact your primary care provider as soon as possible if you are pregnant or have chronic medical conditions that could put you at risk for complications from influenza or if your symptoms worsen.Additional ResourcesFact SheetsWho should receive the seasonal flu shot?What do I need to know about the H1N1 vaccine?In addition to being vaccinated, what can I do to prevent the spread of flu?Resources and Links CDC NYS Department of Health Flu.gov
Update about H1N1 Posted on November 15, 2009 by Dakota PikeLast updated Tuesday, November 3, 2009At Littauer, we understand your concerns about the limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine. The production of H1N1 vaccines has encountered manufacturing delays on a national basis. However, we are closely monitoring notices of availability of the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines. Recently, our primary care centers have been notified that:The NYS Department of Health told hospitals last week that we will likely receive only 1 dose of the vaccine for every 20 doses we requested.The shortage means that Littauer’s Primary Care sites will likely receive a limited supply in three to four weeks for its established patients.At this point, we do not anticipate receiving our full order of the H1N1 flu vaccine in the coming weeks.Obviously, we cannot vaccinate everyone who would like the H1N1 vaccine. We are strictly following the recommendations outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Therefore, we are obligated to vaccinate our established patients in the following order:Pregnant women;Children and young people ages 6 months through 24 years (infants under 6 months cannot be vaccinated);People who live with or provide care for infants under six months of age;People ages 25-64 years old who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications (including cancer, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders, and weakened immune systems); andHealth care workers and emergency medical services personnel who have direct patient contact.However, when we do receive supply of we will take the following steps:Established patients of Nathan Littauer’s Primary Care Network who fall within the priority groups recommended by the CDC will receive the vaccine first.Our Primary Care Network will be contacting those patients who are on waiting lists and are considered high-risk patients to arrange for the vaccination.Many of our primary care offices have extensive waiting lists of high priority patients and many vaccines are already spoken for.If you are not an established Littauer primary care patient please contact your physician or county health department.
Litttauer’s Dr. Duthaler provides expertise to WTEN Posted on November 13, 2009August 16, 2012 by Dakota PikeDr. Todd DuthalerNathan Littauer’s Chief of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Todd Duthaler, recently conducted an interview at WTEN regarding the H1N1 flu.Dr. Duthaler was asked to lend his opinion on the current flu pandemic. He provided insight about flu complications and gave advice about preventing and treating the H1N1 virus.Watch the entire interview“More and more media outlets are turning to Littauer for crucial information during this flu season.” stated Cheryl McGrattan spokeswoman for Littauer.” Ms. McGrattan added, “We will always be glad to provide information to our community.”
Littauer provides emergency care to pregnant mom Posted on September 29, 2009 by Dakota PikeHospital Care ApprecaitedLetter to the Editor, The Leader HeraldFirst published in print Saturday, September 19, 2009This is a letter of praise and a story about Fulton County at its finest. This is a letter of appreciation to Northampton Ambulance and Nathan Littauer Hospital.Our twin grandsons were delivered three months prematurely with an emergency Caesarean section on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 9. Our daughter was on vacation, visiting us from out of state.We wish to thank the entire staff of Nathan Littauer Hospital. The twins and our daughter are doing very well. Thank you to everyone at Nathan Littauer Hospital. Your coordination with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit teams from the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center was seamless. The staff at Nathan Littauer Hospital treated all of us with compassion, understanding and expert care. We are grateful to the admitting staff and to the nurses who recognized our anxieties, made us comfortable and kept us informed. Seeing those tiny babies as soon as they were born was a treasure we will keep in our hearts.We are extremely grateful to the doctors and nurses who skillfully coached our daughter through her labor, delivery and post-surgical care. Your professional efforts brought a successful ending to a traumatic experience.THEO AND PRISCILLA HORESCONorthampton
Littauer prepares for H1N1 Posted on September 29, 2009 by Dakota PikeShots of HealthBy RODNEY MINOR, The Leader-HeraldFirst published in print: Sunday, September 20, 2009Some people may need to get two flu shots this year. One for the seasonal flu and the other for the H1N1, the virus more widely known as swine flu.Seasonal flu shots already are available in some places. Plans are being made for when and where inoculations of the separate H1N1 vaccine will be available.The first cases of the H1N1 virus appeared in the U.S. in March and April, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the end of April, the federal government had declared a public health emergency. Cases of H1N1 have since been reported in all 50 states.Fulton County Public Health Director Denise Frederick said involved agencies in the state were still planning, as of Wednesday, on how the swine flu vaccine will be distributed to the public.Karen Levison, the director of Hamilton County Public Health and Nursing Services, said the state has to wait for the CDC to release the vaccine. Each state will get a certain amount of the vaccine, which it will then determine how to distribute to the counties and what people take priority in getting it.The Food and Drug Administration approved the new swine flu vaccine Tuesday. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the vaccine’s approval to Congress – and said she hopes to get the first limited supplies distributed early in October.The bulk of vaccine will start arriving Oct. 15, and Sebelius said it should be available at 90,000 sites around the country. The government has ordered 195 million doses for now but may order more if needed, she said. Typically 100 million Americans seek the flu vaccine every year. Researchers have said one dose of the new swine flu vaccine looks strong enough to protect adults – and can begin protection within 10 days of the shot.It is expected that pregnant women and children will take priority when it comes to who will be eligible to get the vaccine first. Levison said there has been some discussion of going through Obstetrician and Gynecologists to make sure pregnant women get the vaccine, which inoculates the unborn child as well.Frederick said people who already have medical conditions compromising their health also will be high on the priority list. She said the people who have died of swine flu, similar to seasonal flu, normally have had some other condition compromising their health. The swine flu weakened their body to a point where it could no longer hold off the other problem.Mary Constantino, family nurse practitioner and infection control officer at Nathan Littauer?Hospital in Gloversville, said those highest at risk for swine flu will be inoculated first.http://www.leaderherald.com/page/content.detail/id/515956.html Continue reading “Littauer prepares for H1N1”
