Transcript No Slide Title

NWTC
Influenza Awareness and
Preparedness:
Be a Big Shot!
Presented by Dulcie Bosi, RN
September, 2009
Today’s Goals
You’ll learn the following:
• Definition of “the flu”
• The difference of H1N1 and the seasonal flu
• The similarity of H1N1 and the seasonal flu
• Recognizing symptoms caused by influenza
• How influenza spreads
• Ways to reduce the risk of the disease
“Flu” or Influenza
• Influenza is a type of virus that effects the
respiratory system.
• It is generally non life threatening
• Symptomatic treatment can lessen the severity and
duration of the illness
• In some cases antiviral treatment may be
prescribed to lessen severity of infection, but must
be started early.
H1N1 Influenza
• H1N1 is a new virus which the
immune system does not
recognize.
• People are not immune to the
virus.
• Therefore H1N1 poses a threat to
even healthy individuals.
• During the appox 2 weeks it can
take for the immune system to
fight a new virus, severe illness or
in some cases death can result
before the immune system is able
to fully respond.
H1N1 Influenza
• The first cases of human infection (Mexico and the United
States) were in March and April 2009
• Wisconsin - 7 deaths
• US - 593 deaths
• WHO (World Health Organization) declared a global
pandemic on June 11, 2009 because of the rapid spread
of the H1N1 virus.
History of Pandemics
• 1918 “Spanish Flu” 20-40 million global deaths 675,000 US
deaths
• 1957 “Asian Flu” 1-4 million global deaths
70,000 US deaths
• 1968 “Hong Kong Flu” 1-4 million global deaths
34,000 US deaths
Why the Concern
• CDC projects as
many as 40% of
Americans will be
affected by H1N1
• WHO expects about
2 billion cases
(world wide).
Flu Versus a Cold
• The flu is worse than the common cold.
• Colds are usually milder than the flu.
• People with colds are more likely to have a runny or
stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious
health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial
infections, or hospitalizations.
Seasonal Influenza
• Influenza is more serious – in the US, seasonal influenza
causes thousands of deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations
from flu-related causes.
• Seasonal flu is most threatening to those with weak
immune systems.
Similarities of H1N1 and Seasonal
Flu
• Symptoms are basically the same.
• Vaccine is readily available for the seasonal flu and
is given by injection into the muscle or nasal
inhalation.
• H1N1 vaccine is being developed and will be give
by injection into the muscle or nasal inhalation.
The differences of H1N1 and the
seasonal flu
• The Seasonal flu virus changes slightly from year to
year and contains agents to fight off 3 different flu
strains.
• H1N1 is a new virus and is specific to the H1N1
strains of influenza.
• The body recognizes the seasonal flu virus and is
able to mount a quicker immune response.
• The seasonal flu vaccine will not cover H1N1
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to those associated
with seasonal flu.
• Fever
•
•
•
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
•
•
•
Body aches
Headache
Chills
•
•
Fatigue
In addition, vomiting (25%) and diarrhea (25%) have been
reported. (Higher rate than for seasonal flu.)
How does H1N1 Influenza spread?
• This virus is thought to spread
the same way seasonal flu
spreads
• Primarily through respiratory droplets
– Coughing
– Sneezing
– Touching respiratory droplets on
yourself, another person, or an
object, then touching mucus
membranes (e.g., mouth, nose,
eyes) without washing hands
Can you get H1N1 Influenza from eating
pork?
No. The novel H1N1 influenza virus (formerly
referred to as swine flu) virus is not spread by
food.
You cannot get novel H1N1 flu from eating
pork or pork products.
What can you do to protect yourself
from getting sick?
Vaccination:
• Get the seasonal flu vaccine. Dates on campus:
• The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available this November.
No cost for the H1N1 vaccine (administration cost only).
• The federal government is controlling the distribution of the
H1N1 vaccine.
• Until then……everyday actions can help prevent spread of
germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect
your health
1. Wash your hands often with
soap and warm water,
especially after you cough
or sneeze. Wash for 15 – 20
seconds.
What could you do in 20 seconds?
• Text a friend that you think you just saw Aaron Rodgers, but
your not sure because his head was turned.
• Doodle a crude replica of the Empire State Building.
• Call home and request to whomever answers the phone that
you would really like pizza for dinner if at all possible.
• Google Salvador Dali’s famous melting clock portrait.
• Or possible win a staring contest.
Take these everyday steps to protect
your health (continued)
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash hands immediately after if possible. Alcohol-based hand
wipes or gel sanitizers are also effective.
• If a tissue is not available your sleeve is the next best choice. DO NOT
sneeze into your hands!
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people-less than 6 feet.
Why it’s important to cover your mouth
Facemask
The effectiveness of
preventing transmission
of influenza wearing a
facemask is unknown,
but it is likely to be
beneficial when worn
correctly and
consistently when
exposed to an ill person
Priority for the H1N1 Vaccine
First wave
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children
younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical
personnel
Additional waves
• Children 6 months through 24 years of age
• 25 through 64 years of age with
compromised immune systems
• 65 and older.
If you get sick…
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after
the fever (100.0 F) is gone without using
medication.
• Limit your contact with other people.
• Seek medical attention for high risk
or severe illness. Call your doctors office if possible.
• Rest
• Drink fluids
• Wear a face mask when around others
• Treat fever and body aches with
fever-reducing medicine.
If a family member gets sick
• Keep the sick person away from
other people as much as possible
• Wash hands
• Cover cough
• Avoid going out of house
• Avoid visitors
• Wear a face mask.
It is not necessary to quarantine yourself
unless you are ill
NWTC circumstantial absentee policy
for 2009-10 academic year
Employees: “If an employee exhibits …ILI …we are requiring supervisors
to send the employee home. Supervisors will put contingency plans in
place in the absence of staff.”
Students: If a student exhibits ILI, they will be asked to leave the campus.
“If students refuse to leave please contact security at x5699. Security
will inform the students of the Health Department letter requesting
compliance with isolation when symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus are
noted. Students should work with their instructors to make up any work
that may have been missed.
Priority list for anti viral medication
(Tamiflu, Relenza)
People with confirmed or suspected flu (testing no longer a
necessity):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sick enough to be hospitalized
People at high risk for complications
Children younger than 5 years old
Adults 65 years or older
Pregnant women
Chronic or immunosuppressive conditions
People younger than 19 who are receiving long-term aspirin
therapy
Not everyone with influenza needs
antiviral medications
The CDC recommends:
People who are not at heightened risk for
complications stemming from flu infection or who
are not sick enough from the flu to require
hospitalization generally don't need antiviral agents
for prevention or treatment.
Watch for emergency warning signs
Most people should be able to recover at home, but watch
for emergency warning signs that mean you should seek
immediate medical care.
In adults:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with
fever and worse cough
Emergency warning signs in children
If a child gets sick and experiences any of these
warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children:
– Fast breathing or trouble breathing
– Bluish or gray skin color
– Not drinking enough fluids
– Severe or persistent vomiting
– Not waking up or not interacting
– Irritable, the child does not want to be held
– Flu-like symptoms improve but then return
with fever and worse cough
Review: How to be a Big
Shot!
• Get vaccinated
• Cover your cough
• Wash your hands
• Stay home if you are sick
Summary
 CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more
hospitalizations and more deaths associated with
this new virus because the population has little to
no immunity against it.
• We must all work together to limit and control the
transmission of H1N1 influenza.
Summary (continued)
• For the most current information on the H1N1
influenza outbreak, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
• CDC, WHO, and public health officials worldwide
are carefully monitoring the situation.
• Follow all recommendations for preventing the
spread of influenza.
• For local guidance, contact your state, local, or
county health officials.
Resources
• http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
• http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/espanol/
• 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
•
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
•
NWTC Human Resources department