Maxwell Clinic announces plan for influenza Published Sept. 8, 2009 By Lt. Col. Lynda Vu 42nd Medical Operations Squadron commander MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The 42nd Medical Group is prepared to take care of patients with Influenza-Like Illness, or ILI. Symptoms of influenza include fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit with at least one of the following additional symptoms: cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, lack of energy and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. The clinic's Influenza Plan is based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC published guidelines. Information about influenza prevention and treatment is available online at www.cdc.gov/flu or by calling the clinic's influenza telephone hotline at 953-7607. The CDC and the Maxwell Clinic encourage people with ILI to stay home and limit contact with others to reduce the spread of influenza. However, patients who meet high-risk criteria or are experiencing more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain/pressure, confusion, dizziness, or severe vomiting, etc., should call the clinic's appointment line at 953-3368 to talk to a nurse or make an appointment. All patients who come to the Maxwell Clinic with ILI should put on a surgical mask and utilize hand-sanitizer provided at the clinic entrances, then follow the signs to the Blue Team check-in desk. Patients with possible or confirmed influenza will be evaluated and treated at this one location in the clinic to minimize exposure to other patients. Patients who are at low risk for developing complications will be sent home with symptomatic care. The decision to treat with antiviral medications will be determined according to CDC guidelines on a case-by-case basis.