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Influenza and You. Revised October 20, 2009. Influenza Overview. Seasonal Influenza Epidemic Influenza Pandemic Influenza. Influenza Basics. Flu is caused by a virus that is very very small Flu is a respiratory infection It is spread from infected to health persons
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Influenza and You Revised October 20, 2009
Influenza Overview • Seasonal Influenza • Epidemic Influenza • Pandemic Influenza
Influenza Basics • Flu is caused by a virus that is very very small • Flu is a respiratory infection • It is spread from infected to health persons • It takes 1 to 5 days from exposure to when symptoms first appear • Flu is usually contagious 1 day before till 7 days after first symptoms • Usually not contagious 24 hours after symptoms stop • But keep using good hygiene to assure others’ health
Seasonal Influenza • Annual influenza outbreaks • Generally occurs Winter to Spring • October to April • Persons most at risk from flu include • Infants • Elderly • Immunocompromised • Annual vaccination are usually available
Seasonal Influenza in USA • 36,000 deaths a year (~200 in WV) • 200,000 hospitalizations a year (~1100 in WV) • Vaccine is usually available • Recommend vaccine for high risk groups • Very young & old • Those with fragile immune systems • Pregnant women
Epidemic Influenza • Epidemic influenza is an outbreak that significantly exceeds seasonal flu rates. • A pandemic is a global epidemic! • No vaccines available early in outbreak • Few have immunity • Occurs any time of year • Even mild pandemics increase deaths rates unacceptably
First cases Of H1N1 Current H1N1 Status Normal flu trends December January February August September
H1N1 status; Oct 19, 2009 • Since August 30th • 15,696 Pneumonia & Flu Like Illnesses hospitalizations • 4,958 are lab confirmed flu • 2,029 Pneumonia- Flu Like Illnesses deaths • 292 are lab confirmed flu • Almost all confirmed cases are H1N1 • Almost no seasonal flu viruses detected
H1N1 status; Oct 15, 2009 • A total of 86 children have died of H1N1. • 43 Pediatric deaths reported since August 30th • 3 in children less than 2 years old • 21 in children from 2 to 11 years old • 19 in children 12 to 17 years • 39 confirmed H1N1
So What Do We Do? CDC Flu Prevention Guidelines
1. Get vaccinated each year • Get vaccinated each year • Other measures that can help fight the flu. • Antiviral medications • Good health habits such as…………
2. Social Distancing • Avoid close contact with people who are sick • Six feet or more • When you’re sick, keep your distance to protect others from getting sick too
3. Stay home when you’re sick • Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. • You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
4. Cover your mouth and nose • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. • Or cough into your sleeve • It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
5. Clean your hands • Washing hands often protects you from germs. • Use warm water • Plenty of soap (do not need antibacterial) • Scrub hands for 20 seconds • Use a 60% alcohol hand sanitizer if water is not available.
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth • Germs can be spread to and from people when we touch our face and other objects without washing our hands in between.
Don’t even think about it! Now you’re monkeying with it!
H1N1 Pandemic Flu • Symptoms similar to seasonal flu • But more people susceptible to it • Highest rate of flu in those under 25 • Highest number of complications in those under 25 • Serious complications are pneumonia & death
H1N1 Flu Vaccine • Made using same process as seasonal vaccine • It has gone through same quality control testing as seasonal flu vaccine • Clinical trials found it to be just as safe as seasonal vaccine
H1N1 Vaccine Safety • Side effects include: • Soreness, swelling at injection site • Intranasal Vaccine may cause runny nose • Can cause day or two of mild fever and aches, but much less than real flu • You CANNOT get the flu from vaccines!!
Why Get Vaccinated? • To protect yourself from • Missing work • Being hospitalized • Serious complications and death • Also you protect young people and others you know and live with from getting the disease from you!