Jo Daviess County Health Department

							                        Jo Daviess County Health Department
                          9483 U S Rt. 20 West, P O Box 318
                              Galena, Illinois 61036-0318
                       815-777-0263 or 877-777-0263 (toll-free #)


Date: February 6, 2007

To:    All Jo Daviess County Parents or Guardians and School Staff

From: Denise Seuring, RN, BSN
      Communicable Disease Nurse

Within the past 2 weeks, influenza and respiratory illnesses have definitely come to our county.
If you have not yet been vaccinated for influenza, it is not too late to get your shot. You can
contact your physician or the Jo Daviess County Health Dept to get your flu shot.

It is important to contact your physician if you have other health concerns or risks and become ill
with influenza symptoms. There are anti-viral medications that may help your body fight off the
flu sooner but need to be given within 24-48 hours after symptoms begin. Also, your physician
should monitor you for complications such as pneumonia.

Many people mistake “stomach flu” (vomiting and/or diarrhea) for influenza or “the flu.”
Although children can begin the flu with gastrointestinal symptoms, these are not the common
influenza symptoms for adults. Common influenza symptoms include: fever (100—103
degrees), headache, fatigue or weakness, extreme exhaustion, severe body aches, sore throat,
cough (can become severe). Most of these symptoms are caused from our immune system
fighting off the infection.

For the vast majority of us, it is important to know that although getting the flu is unpleasant, our
immune system will be able to fight it off. Those who are at higher risk for complications are
people who have weakened immune systems.

However, there are several easy steps to take to protect yourself and your family from illness this
year:
       Increase hand hygiene measures: Using soap and water washing or waterless alcohol
        gel solutions. Whenever out in a public area, carry alcohol-based hand gel to
        supplement handwashing. It is most important to use hand hygiene after using the
        bathroom, before eating or drinking, and after blowing your nose or coughing or
        sneezing into your hand.
       Cover Your Cough: When coughing or sneezing, it is best to do this in your sleeve to
        help prevent spreading germs with your hands. If using a tissue, dispose of it after use
        and wash your hands.
       Get adequate sleep and rest: Although this is a busy time, lack of sleep will weaken
        your immune system and leave you vulnerable for infections.
       Use home cool mist humidifiers: Dry winter heat can cause your mucous membranes
        to become dry and cracked. This leaves you vulnerable to infections from viruses.
        Humidity is especially important in sleeping areas and should be kept between 50—60%
        (at least). Inexpensive humidistats (that will show the humidity level in a room) are
        available at most hardware and discount stores.
       Drink plenty of fluids: Keeping your body well-hydrated is important to help it fight
        off infections and to maintain good health.
       Eat nutritious foods: Fruits and vegetables are important and easy ways to keep
        adequate vitamins such as Vitamin C that help you fight off infections. Many studies
        have found that vitamins are best absorbed and used when we get them through food
        sources.
       If you do become ill, STAY HOME: You need to stay home and get the much needed
        rest and fluids to prevent complications from the flu. Also, it’s not fair to your
        coworkers or classmates to infect them with your illness.
       If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, contact your physician: It may be a
        sign that you have developed bronchitis or pneumonia. These are complications from
        influenza and should be monitored by your physician.

If you have any questions regarding influenza you may contact me at the Health Department,
Monday—Friday, 8:00 AM—4:30PM. Or you may leave me a message on my voicemail
extension 239. For those of you with internet access, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has
a website that is an excellent resource: http://www.cdc.gov