Oh For Real?!?! University of Chicago Medical Center is investigating a small number of potential swine

So I get this email at work today:

UCMC is investigating a small number of potential swine flu cases, like many other health facilities in Chicago and around the country. None of these people is severely ill. The cases are unconfirmed, and we are working with the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to test samples for swine flu. We will provide an update as soon as we are able.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu, and include fever, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, runny nose and sometimes vomiting. The great majority of cases diagnosed in the United States have not been severe and have not required hospitalization.

If you are experiencing any such symptoms of illness, you should remain at home, or go home if you are already at work. Mild symptoms may not require a doctor’s visit.

Individuals with severe symptoms should contact their primary care physician. Faculty, staff and students who need medical assistance and are already on campus may visit a special clinic that will be open in Emergency Room West (the former urgent care clinic), next to the inpatient radiology waiting room, from 7am to 11am on Wednesday. The afternoon location will be announced in the morning on Wednesday.

Because of the possibility of swine flu cases in the Chicago area, the Medical Center is taking additional precautions to protect patients, visitors and staff. Beginning April 29, all persons entering the Medical Center will be asked to self-report symptoms of possible influenza. Hospital visitors with symptoms of influenza will be asked to defer visiting the hospital.

In any setting the best way to prevent the spread of influenza, whether seasonal or swine flu, involves basic and common sense practices. Hand-washing, whether with soap and water or with an alcohol based hand rub, is the most effective strategy in preventing the spread of influenza. In addition, care should be taken to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. In the hospital setting, patients with symptoms will be asked to wear a surgical mask to prevent the spread of virus.

We will be posting updated information as it becomes available to our Intranet site at home.uchospitals.edu. Additional information can be found on the university’s swine flu website at http://news.uchicago.edu/btn/swineflu.php and the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm.

(Name Withheld)

Hospital Epidemiologist

Medical Director of Infection Control


YEAH, I WON'T BE GOING INTO THE WORKPLACE TODAY--OR PROBABLY FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK FOR THAT MATTER...