Pottstown Hospital Prepares For Arrival Of Seasonal Influenza

Press release from TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce:

Oct. 12, 2020

Hospital Encourages All Community Members to get Vaccinated Against Flu

(POTTSTOWN, PA - October 12, 2020) – As Tower Health prepares for the annual arrival of seasonal influenza (flu) in our community, while still managing COVID-19, the health system is working to ensure it has all necessary resources in place to meet the community’s healthcare needs. While COVID-19 is still in our communities, Pottstown Hospital is limiting the community flu vaccination program this year to a few select low income housing locations. Community members are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their primary care physician (PCP) or advance practice provider (APP) or visit any one of Tower Health Urgent Care 25 locations to receive the annual vaccine.

“A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu,” said Debra Powell MD, Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases and Medical Director, Infection Prevention at Reading Hospital – Tower Health. “The vaccine can also help reduce risk for individuals most vulnerable to serious flu complications, including young babies, pregnant women, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems. It is important to remember that you may be able to pass the flu to someone else before you know you are sick. Healthy adults may be able to infect others a full day before their symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming ill.”

To help prevent the spread of flu, Tower Health recommends everyone perform frequent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizer; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; wear a face mask; practice respiratory hygiene by covering your sneeze or cough when not face masked; disinfect high touch common areas frequently (phones, computers, tablets) and continue to practice social distancing.

Flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses that are caused by different viruses. The signs and symptoms of flu and COVID-19 can be similar including:

• Fever higher than 100°F
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Headache

COVID-19 can also cause non-flu-like symptoms, including loss of taste or smell.

For additional information on symptoms of flu, COVID-19, and the cold visit towerhealth.org/flu.

Individuals showing symptoms of seasonal flu or COVID-19 should contact their PCP or APP to determine appropriate next steps for further evaluation.

“This year, with COVID-19, getting vaccinated early for the flu is more important than ever,” advises Richard McLaughlin, MD, MBA, Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Pottstown Hospital. “If a bad flu season coincides with a spike in COVID-19 cases, flu vaccinations are one way to help prevent you and your family from becoming severely ill. A recent study showed people who had COVID-19 and influenza B were sicker than those who had COVID-19 alone. Getting a flu shot now will provide protection for the entire flu season, but remember it takes about two weeks for the flu shot to become fully effective in the body.”

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About Pottstown Hospital:
Located in Pottstown, Pa., and a member of Tower Health, Pottstown Hospital is a 232-bed, acute care facility that offers a full range of health services, including inpatient and outpatient, medical and surgical, and diagnostic and emergency care. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Pottstown Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across many service lines. The Hospital is Joint Commission-certified for hip and knee replacement and is also an accredited Chest Pain Center. Recently, Pottstown Hospital was recognized as a recipient of the 2020 Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus & Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

The Cancer Center at Pottstown Hospital is also nationally recognized, bringing over a decade of award-winning care to our region. The Pottstown Hospital Emergency Department, a Primary Stroke Center, is the second busiest in Montgomery County, seeing more than 45,000 patients a year. For more information, visit pottstown.towerhealth.org.

This press release was produced by TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.