Flu Season
What is the flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness
caused by influenza viruses. It can cause
mild to severe illness, and at times can
lead to death. (per CDC’s website)
Influenza is a virus but not all viruses are
influenza
Is contagious from one day before
symptoms occur up to one week after
they occur
Key Words
Pandemic - (of a disease) prevalent
throughout an entire country, continent,
or the whole world; epidemic over a large
area.
Epidemic - (of a disease) affecting many
persons at the same time, and spreading
from person to person in a locality where
the disease is not permanently prevalent.
High Risk Populations
Young Children
Older People
Asthmatics
Pregnant Women
People with chronic health conditions such
as heart problems, diabetics, those with
compromised immune systems
Signs & Symptoms
fever (often high)
headache
extreme tiredness
dry cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
muscle aches
Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea, also can occur but are more
common in children than adults.
Possible complications
Complications of flu can include bacterial
pneumonia, ear infections, sinus
infections, dehydration, and worsening of
chronic medical conditions, such as
congestive heart failure, asthma, or
diabetes.
Death is also a possibility in high risk
individuals.
Reye’s Syndrome
Reye’s Syndrome
A rare illness that affects someone who
recently has had a viral infection (such as
cold, flu, or chicken pox)
Affects the blood, liver, and brain of
children, teens and young adults leading
to coma & death
Use of aspirin & salicylates increases risk
for Reye’s syndrome
Reye’s Syndrome
Products to avoid include aspirin &
products containing aspirin or salicylates
(e.g. Alka-selzter, Kaopectate, Maalox,
Pepto-Bismol etc.)
There is no cure only symptom treatment
to prevent brain damage or death.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, listlessness, irrational behavior,
confusion, seizures, severe weakness, &
loss of consciousness.
Prevention
Flu Vaccination
Antiviral drugs
Avoid close contact with anyone who is ill.
Stay at least 6 feet away.
Wear a mask when you must be in close
proximity to someone who is ill.
Don’t compromise your own immune
system by letting yourself get run down.
Best Practices
– Cover your mouth & nose with a tissue when
you sneeze or cough
– Frequent hand washing or sanitizing
– Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose
– If you are sick stay home & away from others
– Clean areas used by sick individuals with
disinfecting cleaners, especially common
areas
– Avoid holding dirty linens close to you when
laundering and wash hands after handling
Vaccination
CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the
first and most important step in protecting against
seasonal influenza.
While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal
flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal viruses
that research suggests will be most common.
Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk
of serious flu complications
Seasonal flu vaccine is also important for health care
workers, and other people who live with or care for high
risk people to prevent giving the flu to those at high risk
A seasonal vaccine will not protect you against novel
H1N1 (aka Swine Flu)
Treatment
Antiviral drugs in the form of pills, liquid or
inhaler can decrease the virus’s ability to
reproduce in the body.
Treat the symptoms with Over the Counter
medications (not containing aspirin)
Remember the Safety Officer’s mantra:
“Drink lots of fluids!!!”
Stay away from others until you have been free
from fever for at least 24 hours w/o medication
H1N1 – Swine Flu
Symptoms are the same as the regular flu.
Treatment and prevention are the same as
seasonal flu (different vaccine).
It differs because of the risks to certain
populations – elderly are not as highly at
risk.
Emergency Warning Signs
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids, dehydration
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
A child being so irritable that he does not want to be
held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever
and a worse cough
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
ORM
The Six Steps of the ORM Process
1. Identify the hazards
- Vaccine side effects, illness, death
2. Assess the risks
- chronic illness, death, costs
3. Analyze the risk control measures
4. Make control decisions
5. Risk control implementation
6. Supervise and review
Web site sources
www.cdc.gov
www.flu.gov
www.medlineplus.gov