Community Update

Like many other health facilities in Chicago and around the country, the University of Chicago Medical Center is now investigating a small number of potential swine flu cases. None of these people is severely ill. The cases are unconfirmed, and UCMC is working with the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to test samples for swine flu. Updates will be posted regularly to this website.

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.

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

People 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 (April 29). The afternoon location will be announced in the morning on Wednesday.

In any setting the best way to prevent the spread of influenza, whether seasonal or swine flu, involves basic and common sense practices. The most effective practice is hand-washing, either with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub. In addition, care should be taken to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

For the latest information on swine flu, please see the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm.