Download Pandemic Influenza

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 your
children 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
or
Video 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
Questions & Answers
For more Information:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
http://www.flu.gov/
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 feverreducing 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
7. F
8. T
9. F
10. T
SUNY CANTON