Transcript Basic Health and Safety

Influenza and You
Revised October 20, 2009
Influenza Overview
•
Seasonal Influenza
•
Epidemic Influenza
•
Pandemic Influenza
Influenza Basics
•
Flu is caused by a virus that is very very small
•
Flu is a respiratory infection
•
It is spread from infected to health persons
•
It takes 1 to 5 days from exposure to when
symptoms first appear
•
Flu is usually contagious 1 day before till 7 days
after first symptoms
• Usually not contagious 24 hours after symptoms stop
• But keep using good hygiene to assure others’ health
Seasonal Influenza

Annual influenza outbreaks
– Generally occurs Winter to Spring

October to April
– Persons most at risk from flu include



Infants
Elderly
Immunocompromised
– Annual vaccination are usually
available
Seasonal Influenza in USA
• 36,000 deaths a year (~200 in WV)
• 200,000 hospitalizations a year (~1100 in WV)
• Vaccine is usually available
• Recommend vaccine for high risk groups
– Very young & old
– Those with fragile immune systems
– Pregnant women
Epidemic Influenza


Epidemic influenza is an outbreak that
significantly exceeds seasonal flu rates.
A pandemic is a global epidemic!
– No vaccines available early in outbreak
– Few have immunity
– Occurs any time of year
– Even mild pandemics increase deaths rates
unacceptably
Current
H1N1 Status
First cases
Of H1N1
December January February
August September
H1N1 status; Oct 19, 2009

Since August 30th
– 15,696 Pneumonia & Flu Like Illnesses
hospitalizations

4,958 are lab confirmed flu
– 2,029 Pneumonia- Flu Like Illnesses
deaths


292 are lab confirmed flu
Almost all confirmed cases are H1N1
– Almost no seasonal flu viruses detected
H1N1 status; Oct 15, 2009


A total of 86 children have died of
H1N1.
43 Pediatric deaths reported since
August 30th
3 in children less than 2 years old
 21 in children from 2 to 11 years old
 19 in children 12 to 17 years

– 39 confirmed H1N1
So What Do We Do?
CDC Flu Prevention Guidelines
1. Get vaccinated each year

Get vaccinated each year

Other measures that can help
fight the flu.
– Antiviral medications
– Good health habits such as…………
2. Social Distancing

Avoid close contact with people who
are sick
– Six feet or more

When you’re sick, keep your distance
to protect others from getting sick too
3. Stay home when you’re
sick


Stay home from work, school,
and errands when you are sick.
You will help prevent others
from catching your illness.
4. Cover your mouth and
nose

Cover your mouth and nose with a
tissue when coughing or sneezing.
– Or cough into your sleeve

It may prevent those around you from
getting sick.
5. Clean your hands

Washing hands often protects you
from germs.
– Use warm water
– Plenty of soap (do not need antibacterial)
– Scrub hands for 20 seconds

Use a 60% alcohol hand sanitizer if
water is not available.
6. Avoid touching your
eyes, nose or mouth

Germs can be spread to and from
people when we touch our face and
other objects without washing our
hands in between.
Now even
you’re monkeying
with it!
it!
Don’t
think about
H1N1 Pandemic Flu

Symptoms similar to seasonal flu

But more people susceptible to it

Highest rate of flu in those under 25
– Highest number of complications in those
under 25
– Serious complications are pneumonia &
death
H1N1 Flu Vaccine

Made using same process as seasonal
vaccine

It has gone through same quality
control testing as seasonal flu vaccine

Clinical trials found it to be just as safe
as seasonal vaccine
H1N1 Vaccine Safety

Side effects include:
– Soreness, swelling at injection site
– Intranasal Vaccine may cause runny nose
– Can cause day or two of mild fever and
aches, but much less than real flu
– You CANNOT get the flu from vaccines!!
Why Get Vaccinated?

To protect yourself from
– Missing work
– Being hospitalized
– Serious complications and death

Also you protect young people and
others you know and live with from
getting the disease from you!
Questions????