Stay Vigilant—Protect Yourself and Prevent the Spread of Illness

Winter is here and so are many illnesses that are infecting our communities. The flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19, all highly infectious respiratory diseases, are always strong contenders during the winter season. This year, the Norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, has also been making its debut. According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Norovirus is currently widespread in Virginia. 

Whatever the illness, we are partners in our commitment to quality patient care and safety—and that starts with protecting ourselves and helping to stop the spread of germs!

Take these precautions to do your part in keeping yourself, our patients and our communities safe:

Wash your hands frequently.

Hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and reduce healthcare-transmitted infections. Our new hand hygiene frog is a great visual reminder that Friction Rubs Out Germs.

Learn more about all the important times to follow proper hand hygiene in this article.

Cover your coughs and sneezes.

Use a tissue to cover your coughs and sneezes; throw the tissue in the trash after using it. If no tissue is available, cough into your elbow, not your hand.

Clean and disinfect.

Frequently touched surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs should be cleaned and disinfected frequently. Wipe down high-touch surfaces at the end of your shift (keyboards, phones, door handles, etc.)

Know the symptoms.

Common symptoms for flu, RSV and COVID-19 include: 

• Fever and chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue

Common symptoms for Norovirus include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Stay home if you are sick.

If you are ill, have any respiratory or GI symptoms, stay home to reduce the risk of getting others sick. If you get sick while at work, put on a surgical mask and notify your supervisor.