Flu Update
The 2009-10 influenza season officially began on October 4, 2009, however influenza activity has
already increased in the U.S. The CDC (Centers
for Disease Control) is concerned that the new
H1N1 flu virus could result in a particularly
severe flu season this year. Cases of H1N1
influenza have continued throughout the summer
and now that schools are back in session, more
cases are being reported. The good news is that
so far, the majority of cases have been mild and
treated at home. This means the virus has
become more virulent (easily spread) but not
more deadly. But, influenza is unpredictable
and close monitoring by the CDC and Public
Health will continue.
The CDC is encouraging
people to get vaccinated against seasonal
influenza as soon as the vaccines become
available. The seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely
to provide protection against novel H1N1
influenza, however a vaccine for H1N1 is
currently being developed and is expected to be
available by early to mid October. The novel
H1N1 vaccine does not replace the seasonal flu
vaccine – it is intended to be used in addition
to the seasonal flu vaccine.
The CDC does not
expect a shortage of novel H1N1 vaccine, but
vaccine availability and demand can be
unpredictable and there is some possibility that
initially, the vaccine will be available in
limited quantities. Once the demand for vaccine
for the prioritized groups has been met, health
care providers will then begin vaccinating
people from the ages of 25 through 64 years.
Current studies indicate that the risk for
infection among persons age 65 or older is less
than the risk for younger age groups. This is
the reason for vaccinating younger people first.
The CDC priority
groups who should receive the novel H1N1 vaccine
first are:
-
Pregnant women
because they are at higher risk of complications
and can potentially provide protection to
infants who cannot be vaccinated;
-
Household
contacts and caregivers for children
younger than 6 months of age
because younger infants are at higher risk of
influenza-related complications and cannot be
vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close
contact with infants less than 6 months old
might help protect infants by “cocooning” them
from the virus;
-
Healthcare and emergency medical services
personnel
because infections among healthcare workers have
been reported and this can be a potential source
of infection for vulnerable patients. Also,
increased absenteeism in this population could
reduce healthcare system capacity;
-
All people from 6 months through 24 years of age:
Children from 6 months through 18 years of age
because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1
influenza in children and they are in close
contact with each other in school and day care
settings, which increases the likelihood of
disease spread, and
Young adults 19 through 24 years of age
because we have seen many cases of novel
H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults
and they often live, work, and study in
close proximity, and they are a frequently
mobile population.
-
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health
conditions associated with higher risk of
medical complications from influenza.
Where can I get the flu vaccine?
Seasonal
-
Your own health care provider
-
Drug stores & supermarkets (check on hours and
costs)
Flu clinic Locator
sponsored by the American Lung Association.
H1N1
H1N1 Vaccine
Location Schedule.
WHAT IS THE FLU?
Influenza
(the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness
caused by influenza viruses. It spreads from
person-to-person and can cause mild to severe
illness.
Every year in the United States,
on average:
|
FluFacts
-
5 to 20 percent of the population get
the flu
-
More than 200,000 people are
hospitalized from flu-related complications
-
About 36,000 people die from flu-related
causes
Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
|
WHAT ARE THE
SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU?
The symptoms for all flu,
including H1N1 (Swine) flu, are similar.
·
Fever
·
Coughing and/or sore throat
·
Fatigue
·
Chills
·
Runny or stuffy nose
·
Headaches and/or body aches
Some people with H1N1 also report
vomiting and diarrhea.
HOW CAN I PREVENT GETTING THE FLU?
Get your flu vaccines. Vaccination is your best
protection. You will need two vaccines this
year – the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1
vaccine – to be fully protected. The CDC is
encouraging people to get both vaccinations.
Take
these everyday steps to protect your health.
|
Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you
use it. If you don’t have a tissue,
cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve,
not your hands. |
|
Wash your hands often
with soap and water, especially after
you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand
cleaners are also effective. |
|
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs spread this way. |
|
Try to avoid close contact with sick
people. Try to stay at least 3 feet away from
persons who are coughing. |
|
Stay home if you are sick.
Return to work or school only after you
have been without a fever for 24 hours
without the use of fever-reducing
medication.
This is to keep from infecting others
and spreading the virus further. |
WHAT DO I DO IF I GET SICK WITH THE FLU?
-
If you are
pregnant or have a health condition such as
diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or
emphysema check with your health care
provider about whether you 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,
electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep
from being dehydrated.
-
Cover coughs
and sneezes. Wash hands often with soap and
water. If soap and water are not available,
use an alcohol-based hand rub.
-
Be watchful
for emergency warning signs that might
indicate you need to seek medical attention.
|
When to Seek
Emergency Medical Care |
|
Get medical care right away if the
sick person at home:
-
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, absence
of urination, or in infants, a
lack of tears when they cry
-
has seizures (convulsions)
-
is less responsive than normal
or becomes confused
|
WHERE DO I GET GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS AND CHILD
CARE?
Click here to go to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
website.
WHAT SHOULD I BE TEACHING MY CHILDREN?
Teaching
children to wash their hands can be challenging,
but as they return to school one of the most
effective ways to help them stay healthy is to
make sure they wash their hands frequently and
properly. Colds, flu and the spread of other
germs and diseases can be controlled and
prevented with effective handwashing. Vigorously
scrubbing with soap and running water for 20-30
seconds is the most effective means of cleansing
hands according to the
Centers for Disease Control
(CDC).
Tips for Parents
& Caregivers:
Demonstrate a
routine – kids learn by example.
Teach them the right way to wash their hands.
Wash your hands with your kids.
Make it fun – turn it into a game.
Buy kid friendly soap.
WHEN SHOULD HANDS BE WASHED?
Children (and adults!) should
wash their hands several times a day,
especially:
·
After playing outside
·
After touching animals
·
Before cooking and/or eating
·
After blowing one’s nose, coughing or sneezing
·
After using the bathroom
·
After contact with anyone who is ill
HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS EFFECTIVELY?
1.
Start with comfortably warm water and rinse
hands.
2.
Lather up and rub hands together
vigorously.
3.
Using friction, scrub the backs of the
hands, the palms, all fingers and under
fingernails.
4.
Lather up above the wrists.
5.
Continue rubbing your hands together for
20-30 seconds. (Singing the “Happy Birthday”
song two times while washing hands is about the
right time)
6.
Rinse from the wrists downward letting
all the dirt and germs flow down the drain.
7.
Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
WHERE DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
website:
http://cdc.gov/
Los Angeles County Department
of Public Health website:
http://ph.lacounty.gov/
