Slide 2 NWTC Influenza Awareness and Preparedness: Be a Big
Shot! Presented by Dulcie Bosi, RN September, 2009 Slide 3 Todays
Goals Youll 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 Slide 4
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. Slide 5
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. Slide 6 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. Slide 7 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 Slide 8 Why the
Concern CDC projects as many as 40% of Americans will be affected
by H1N1 WHO expects about 2 billion cases (world wide). Slide 9 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. Slide 10 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. Slide 11
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. Slide 12 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 Slide 13 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.) Slide 14 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 Slide 15 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.
Slide 16 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
theneveryday actions can help prevent spread of germs that cause
respiratory illnesses like influenza. Slide 17 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. Slide 18 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 Dalis famous melting clock portrait. Or possible
win a staring contest. Slide 19 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. Slide 20 Why its important to cover your mouth Slide
21 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 Slide 22 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. Slide 23 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. Slide 24 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 Slide 25 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.
Slide 26 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 Slide
27 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. Slide 28 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 Slide 29 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 Slide 30 Review: How to be a Big Shot! Get vaccinated Cover
your cough Wash your hands Stay home if you are sick Slide 31
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. Slide 32 Summary (continued) For the most current
information on the H1N1 influenza outbreak, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ 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. Slide 33 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
