Dr. Howard Quentzel, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Griffin Hospital, Karen Spargo, Director, Naugatuck Valley Health District, and Deborah Horvath, APRN, Assistant Director of Community Health at the Naugatuck Valley Health District, will host an information session about H1N1 influenza on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 pm at the Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.
Dr. Quentzel will give an overview of CDC guidelines, describe the warning signs and symptoms of H1N1 influenza and offer practical advice and tips on how to protect yourself.
Health District officials will discuss the vaccine and its availability.
The program is open to all interested members of the community.
Registration is requested by calling 203 – 732-1511.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and youth up to 18-years-of-age are at higher risk for contracting infection and complications due to the H1N1 virus. Those who contract the flu may be contagious for 24 to 48 hours before symptoms appear.
To date, more than 600 Griffin employees, have received the H1N1 vaccine and the vaccination process is continuing.
To further protect newborns, mothers and hospital staff from exposure to the H1N1 influenza, Griffin has implemented temporary visitor restrictions that halts visiting to the hospital’s Childbirth Center by visitors age 18 or younger.
The restrictions are for Childbirth Center visitors only and not for adults, youth or children seeking hospital care. The hospital has posted signs noting the visitor age restrictions at entrances as well as respiratory etiquette signs.
