Flu Information Center - Valley Health System

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223 N. Van Dien Avenue Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 447-8000 MAIN

201-447-8000
webinfo@valleyhealth.com

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The Valley Hospital
223 N. Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

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Flu Information Center

Visitation Restrictions

To protect the health of patients during this flu season, no one under the age of 18 will be allowed to visit The Valley Hospital.

At the recommendation of the New Jersey Hospital Association, The Valley Hospital is currently restricting visitors to prevent the spread of the flu.

Effective Wednesday, November 11, no one under the age of 18 will be allowed to visit The Valley Hospital. This restriction will remain in place through the duration of the flu season. Currently, this restriction is limited to the main hospital campus, and not the off-site locations. However, it may be expanded to include the off-site locations as the flu season progresses.

In addition, anyone with flu symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, or fever, should refrain from visiting.

We thank you for your cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience.

We understand that our community may be concerned about H1N1 flu, but want to stress that for most people H1N1 influenza is no more dangerous than any other form of the flu, and is treated the same way.

At Valley, as at other hospitals, we are working closely with the state Department of Health and Senior Services and the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to remain current about the H1N1 flu outbreak and to share information with the community regarding flu activity.

To reduce the spread of flu, the CDC recommends that the general public continue to follow the same measures that are effective in reducing the risk of spreading any infectious disease:

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
Cover coughs and sneezes. Dispose of used tissues properly.
Stay home if you are sick.

To help answer your questions about H1N1 flu, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) has established a toll-free, 24-hour H1N1 influenza line. The number is 1-866-321-9571.

Vaccines for the seasonal flu are available through your doctor, at area flu shot clinics and at Valley Health Medical Group practices. For inquiries about the vaccine for the H1N1 virus, please call the Bergen County Health Department’s Health Topics Information Line at 201-225-7000. A listing of flu clinics can also be found on the Department of Health's web site at www.bergenhealth.org.

If you are concerned about your possible exposure to H1N1 flu or are experiencing mild flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, chills, fatigue, and headache, please do not come to the emergency room.

Call your primary care physician or, if you do not have a primary care physician, you may call one of Valley Health Medical Group’s (VHMG) six area practices. Go to www.valleyhealthmedicalgroup.com or call 1-800-637-1136 for VHMG locations and phone numbers. Please note, VHMG practices only treat patients of school age or older.

Please be advised that most people with flu-like symptoms will be not be candidates for testing for H1N1 flu. In addition, anti-viral medications and the vaccine will only be given to those who meet CDC and state Health Department guidelines.

Please see the links below for more information on H1N1 flu. We will post updated information to this site as we receive it.

Information for the General Public

Click here for the 2009-2010 seasonal influenza vaccine information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Click here for frequently asked questions regarding H1N1 influenza from the NJDHSS.

Click here for the most up-to-date school-related information, guidance and resources on H1N1 from the NJDHSS.

Click here for information from the FDA regarding unapproved H1N1 products.

Information for Healthcare Professionals

Click here for a letter from the NJDHSS discussing which groups of people are recommended to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

Click here for H1N1 surveillance and testing criteria from the NJDHSS.

Click here for information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding billing/reimbursement for the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

Click here for resources from the NJDHSS.

Click here for resources from the CDC.