Girls’ Night Out
Spread the News…Not the Flu
News Flash!
•Complications from the FLU can lead to hospitalization
and/or death.
•In a typical year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of the
population gets the seasonal flu and approximately 36,000
flu-related deaths are reported.
Seasonal Flu & Swine Flu – what do you need to know to keep
you and your family healthy?
PNEUMONIA
•Because pneumonia is a common complication of
influenza (flu), getting a flu shot every fall is good
prevention measure.
•Your doctor can help you decide if you, or a member of
your family, need the vaccine against pneumococcal
pneumonia.
Flu Season
•Don’t become a statistic this
flu season.
•What you need to know and
what you can do to protect
yourself and your patients –
get a flu vaccination.
2009-2010 SEASONAL FLU
•Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that
can be transmitted person to person. Most people
have some immunity and a vaccine is available.
Why Get the Flu Vaccine Early?
•The flu season can come early and unexpectedly -- the
sooner you get your vaccination the better!
•Don’t wait until the last minute. It takes about two weeks
after getting a flu vaccination for a person to develop the
antibodies that correspond to a protective immune
response.
Flu Vaccines
•The most common side effects of the injectable flu
vaccine are minor: soreness, redness or swelling at the
injection site.
•Less common symptoms include low grade fever and
body aches.
•Nasal spray has side effects include runny nose,
wheezing, sore throat and cough, headache, vomiting,
muscle aches and fever.
Who should get the seasonal flu vaccine?
The CDC recommends a flu shot if you…
•Want to protect yourself and those around you.
•Work in healthcare.
•Are pregnant and/or breastfeeding during flu season.
•Are six months to 18 years older.
•Are age 50 years or older.
•Have a chronic medical condition, such as asthma or diabetes.
•Are an adult or child who is immunosuppressed.
•Reside in a nursing or chronic-care facility.
•Live with or care for people at high risk for complications from
the flu.
What about “Swine” Flu?
•Novel H1N1 flu (swine flu)
is a new influenza virus
causing illness in people
•It is at a pandemic stage
Flu Symptoms
•Fever • Vomiting
•Chills • Diarrhea
•Fatigue • Sore Throat
•Body aches • Cough
•Headache • Runny/Stuffy nose
Common Sense Prevention Tips
•Get vaccinated
•Hand Wash, Hand Wash, Hand Wash
•Carry Hand Sanitizer
•Use a tissue – cough or sneeze into it; when a tissue is
unavailable cough into the sleeve of your arm – NOT
YOUR HAND
•Stay home from work or school when feeling ill – keep
your child home if they are feeling ill
References
• Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov
• Influenza Vaccine Safety & Availability
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/Vaccin
eSafety/ucm110288.htm
• FDA List of Strains Included in the 2009-2010 Influenza Vaccine
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRe
gulatoryInformation/Post-
MarketActivities/LotReleases/ucm162050.htm
• Seasonal Influenza Resources for Health Professionals
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/
• Key Fact About Seasonal Flu Vaccine
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm