Hannibal Regional Hospital Asks Those With Flu Symptoms to Avoid Visits

Hannibal Regional Hospital officials ask those with flu like symptoms to avoid visiting hospitalized friends or loved ones.

H-R-H says they’ve seen an increase in patients with respiratory illnesses and confirmed cases of influenza. The request is to protect patients and staff members from the illness.

Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:
Fever, chills feeling feverish
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Cough
Runny or stuffy nose
Fatigue
Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

People should go to the Emergency Room right away if they experience any of the following symptoms:

In children:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Fever with a rash

In adults:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Adult or Children
Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and worse cough

Influenza spreads by droplets created when people who have the flu cough, sneeze or talk. The droplets can land in the mouth or nose of nearby people. It is also spread by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching surfaces with flu virus.

Influenza is contagious beginning one day before symptoms start and up to 5 to 7 days after symptoms begin. After exposure to the flu virus, symptoms begin in 1 to 4 days.