INFLUENZA Your Health is in Your Hands

SUNY CANTON

What is Influenza? Acute, febrile respiratory

illness affecting nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs

Epidemics caused by influenza viruses A and B(Type C uncommon in people; no epidemics)

Occurs worldwide, causing considerable morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) each year

Symptoms appear rapidly

What is Different about Flu This Year?

Currently there is a new type of flu virus, H1N1 (Swine Flu), circulating among the world along with the expected or “seasonal” flu virus.

This H1N1 virus caused a Pandemic in

2009 - 2010

What is an Influenza Pandemic ?

A global influenza outbreak Caused by a brand new (novel) flu virus Viruses can be isolated at any time of year

Because it is a new virus, few or no people are immune

Many people are getting sick in every part of the world

A Influenza Pandemic indicates the global spread of a new flu virus but doesn’t indicate the severity of the virus

A global pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus on June12, 2009. The WHO declared the pandemic was over on 8/10/10

The Current H1N1 Pandemic

Started in Mexico in April 2009 Spread to the United States and around the

globe creating a pandemic by June 2009 Causing illness similar to seasonal flu

(severity/death rate) Affects similar groups as seasonal flu with an

additional group: age 5 to 24 The 2010 Flu Vaccine includes protection for

both seasonal flu and H1N1

Influenza Symptoms Fever (>100°), dry cough, sore throat, muscle

aches/pain, headache, lack of energy, possibly runny nose

In H1N1 Flu may also cause vomiting and/or diarrhea

Fever and body aches for 3-5 days

Cough and lack of energy - 2 weeks

Symptoms similar to other upper respiratory diseases such as a “cold” but feel much worse

Who Needs to be Prepared?

WE ALL DO

What Can You DO?Your Health is in Your Hands…..

You are your own best defense

Stay Healthy

Be Prepared

Get informed

STAY HEALTHY

Your Health is in Your Hands..

It is estimated that the H1N1 Vaccination will not be available UNTIL LATE 2009 or early 2010 and will be limited to high priority groups at the start

Seasonal Flu vaccine will be available and is recommended for anyone wanting to reduce their chance of getting seasonal flu

We must prevent the spread of flu through basic health strategies

Stay Healthy - Individual Infection Control

Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette and hand hygiene

are effective strategies to stop the spread of germs.

We should make good hygiene a

habit now.

Stay Healthy - Individual Infection Control

Try to stay three feet from people if you have to cough or sneeze.

Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels, pens, cell phones or other personal items

Stay at home when you are sick. Keep yourchildren home from school or daycare when they are sick

Stay Healthy - Hand Hygiene

Wash Hands Frequently Soap and hot water Minimum of 20 seconds

(the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice)

Alcohol based hand rubs

Learn how to do it right:Website with embedded video

orVideo Download

Stay Healthy – Cover Your Cough

Many illnesses like influenza are spread by sneezing or coughing. Start now and get

into health habits that reduce the spread of

germs.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing. Throw out the tissue and wash your hands.

If you don’t have a tissue, don’t use your hands. Instead, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm so you won’t get germs on your hands and spread them to others.

Stay Healthy - What About Masks?

Recommended for: Health care workers with

direct patient contact Those at high risk for

complications of influenza Symptomatic persons Contacts of ill persons

More About Masks..

Benefit of wearing masks by well persons in public settings has not been established Persons may choose to wear a mask as part of an individual

protection strategy that includes respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, hand hygiene, and social distancing. If you wear a mask,

keep your hands away from your face!

Clean your hands each time you touch your mask!

Health is in Your Hands…

If you go to the doctor’s office or emergency department when you are sick, ask for a mask

Keep immunizations up to date including an annual flu shot.

Stay Healthy - Work or School Infection Control Strategies

Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, hand hygiene Stay away if ill Encourage self-reporting of illness that develops Active screening for illness in staff/students

BE PREPARED

Individual and Family Preparedness is Crucial!

We might have to take care of ourselves and those around us

Would you be ready?

Be Prepared….

Medical, Health & Emergency Supplies Prescribed medical supplies Soap and water, or

alcohol-based hand wash Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen

(Tylenol®) or ibuprofen Thermometer Anti-diarrhea medication Vitamins Hydrating drinks such as Gatorade® Cleansing agent/soap Tissues

Influenza Preparedness Checklist

Start now to limit the spread of germs and prevent infection

Hand hygiene Respiratory hygiene Stay home if sick Have non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand Stay Informed

Develop you own plan at:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html

If You Think You Have the Flu Check with your health care provider about any special care they

might need if you are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema.

Check with their health care provider about whether they should take antiviral medications.

Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick. Do not go to work or school while ill.

Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

Get plenty of rest.

Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks) to keep from being dehydrated.

If You Think You Have the Flu (cont’d)

Cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands

Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when you must share common spaces with others to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if others are at high risk for complications from influenza. 

Be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention.

When to Seek Further Medical Care….

Get medical care right away if you or a sick person

with flu like symptoms: has difficulty breathing or chest pain has purple or blue discoloration of the lips is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when

standing, or absence of urination has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) is less responsive than normal or becomes confused

GET INFORMED

Frequently Asked Question

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

http://www.flu.gov/

Questions & AnswersFor more Information:

Get Informed

Get informed/Stay informed – on the web

Health and Human Services: http://www.pandemicflu.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Learn more about emergency preparedness

http://www.redcross.org

What Did You Learn?

Take the Test

Test Your Flu Knowledge

T F There is currently a vaccine for seasonal flu and H1N1flu

T F Pandemics can cause greater disasters because they affect large areas around the world.

T F H1N1 (Swine Flu) has became a pandemic flu in 2009.

T F There is nothing you can do to prepare for influenza season.

T F It is best to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough/sneeze.

Test Your Flu Knowledge T F Washing your hands can greatly reduces your risk of illness.

T F If you are coughing or sneezing stay at least one foot away from people.

T F Hydrating drinks and soups are items to have on the shelf in case you get the flu.

T F If you have the flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-

reducing medicine.)

T F The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a good source for pandemic flu information.

Check Your Answers

1. T

2. T

3. T

4. F

5. T

6. T SUNY CANTON7. F

8. T

9. F

10. T