Prevent the Flu:Learning about Infection Control

James Garrow

31 MILLION cases of influenza per year

31 MILLION cases of influenza per year

200 THOUSAND hospitalizations per year

31 MILLION cases of influenza per year

200 THOUSAND hospitalizations per year

36 THOUSAND deaths per year

31 MILLION cases of influenza per year

200 THOUSAND hospitalizations per year

36 THOUSAND deaths per year

Between 11 and 18 BILLION dollars lost per year

Kids are the most likely vectors of influenza transmission

•They get sick more easily

•They shed more virus

•They shed virus longer

Vaccines are the best way to keep from getting sick

However…

Vaccines are the best way to keep from getting sick

Only 72% ofelderly get their flu shot

Only 35% of high risk 18 – 64 year olds get their shot

However…

What can we do!?

Experts agree that there are other ways to prevent flu spread:

•Washing hands often•Sneezing into our sleeves•Staying home when sick

If we teach our children these important tricks, we can keep people from getting sick.

In health class, we’ll talk to children about how to, and why it’s important to, practice good infection control.

We’ll teach kids how to wash their hands

We’ll teach kids how to sneeze and cough into their sleeves

We’ll tell kids how important it is to stay home when they’re sick

We’ll also teach teachers how to keep their classes clean

And how to make sure kids are practicing good infection control

We’ll develop and distribute information packets to let parents know about infection control practices and how and where to get flu vaccines

We’ll evaluate and track:

•The number of school days missed•How often children sneeze or cough properly•Flu vaccine rates

Sources available from:

is.gd/lvEF

Presentation available at:

is.gd/lkks

Image Acknowledgements• http://www.flickr.com/photos/juanpri1• http://www.flickr.com/photos/cafemama• http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamdawson• http://www.flickr.com/photos/aschultz• http://www.sxc.hu/profile/bigevil600• http://www.sxc.hu/profile/zeathiel• http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ywel• http://www.sxc.hu/profile/gugacurado• http://www.sxc.hu/profile/vierdrie• http://www.sxc.hu/profile/nkzs

Questions?Q