NWTC Influenza Awareness and Preparedness: Be a Big Shot! Presented by Dulcie Bosi, RN

1. NWTC Influenza Awareness and Preparedness: Be a Big Shot! Presented by Dulcie Bosi, RN September, 2009

2. Today’s Goals You’ll 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

3. “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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Why the Concern • CDC projects as many as 40% of Americans will be affected by H1N1 • WHO expects about 2 billion cases (world wide).

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.)

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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 then……everyday actions can help prevent spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

16. 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.

17. 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 Dali’s famous melting clock portrait. • Or possible win a staring contest.

18. 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.

19. Why it’s important to cover your mouth

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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

29. Review: How to be a Big Shot! • Get vaccinated • Cover your cough • Wash your hands • Stay home if you are sick

30. 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.

31. Summary (continued) • For the most current information on the H1N1 influenza outbreak, visit 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.

32. 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