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Preparing for Flu Season (2009 - 2010)
Remember, if you have flu like symptoms:
For more information, you may also call the Flu Hotline:
802-371-4FLU (371-4358)
It's never too early to get ready for flu season and this year the flu may be more severe than usual because of the new H1N1 virus (Swine Flu). This virus may cause more illness or more severe illness than usual. H1N1 was first recognized in the United States in April 2009. H1N1 influenza activity has decreased in the US but we are still seeing higher levels of influenza-like illness than is normal for this time of year. Since we cannot predict how the new strain of H1N1 will unfold in the fall we all need to be informed and ready.
Central Vermont Medical Center is continually monitoring this novel emerging virus and the unfolding events as they relate to H1N1 Flu. The following information is from the Center's for Disease Prevention and Control website www.CDC.gov. Please refer to this link for more detailed and up to the minute information.
What is the Flu?
F lu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Most people who get influenza will recover in a few days to less than 2 weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu. Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen at any age. People age 65 years and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children are more likely to get complications from influenza.
How does the Flu spread?
The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. (This is called "droplet spread.") This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else's mouth or nose) before washing their hands.
How long can a sick person spread flu to others?
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 10 days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.
Flu Facts
Every year in the United States , on average:
• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and
• about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes
Flu vs. Cold?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. 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.
Flu Symptoms
The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:
• Fever (usually 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
These symptoms are usually referred to as "flu-like symptoms.
Preventing the Flu
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year
The influenza vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu , and flu prevention should be a goal for everyone. Protect yourself and your family by getting a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends flu shots for all health care workers, and there is plenty of vaccine to go around. There are two types of vaccines:
• The "flu shot" — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
Clinical testing for H1N1 vaccine is currently being conducted in eight different US medical centers and is expected to be available in early Fall.
What do I need to think about for myself and my family?
- To help boost your immune system, get plenty of rest, exercise, and eat properly.
- Stay home from work or school if you experience flu symptoms. Taking it easy could help you feel better sooner and also will slow the spread of disease to others.
- If you think you have been exposed to someone with flu, or are starting to have flu symptoms, call your health care provider. Certain medications can help if you start taking them within the first 48 hours.
- To reduce the spread of germs, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Pay attention to hand-washing. After using the bathroom, before eating and before and after preparing food, clean your hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds. Carry a waterless hand gel and wash your hands frequently.
- Clean surfaces you touch frequently, such as door knobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones.
If you get the flu
Stay home from work or school. Always wear a surgical mask if you must leave the house while you are still contagious
- Get lots of rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
- There are over-the-counter (OTC) medications to relieve the symptoms of the flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever).
- Remember that serious illness from the flu is more likely in certain groups of people including people 65 and older, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions and young children.
- Consult your doctor early on for the best treatment, but also be aware of emergency warning signs that require urgent medical attention.
When isolated at home:
- Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but they must be thoroughly washed before someone else uses them.
- Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
- People who are sick should try and stay in one part of the house with the door shut if possible.
- It is best if the sick use a separate bathroom from those who are not ill.
- Anyone who is sick should wear a surgical mask if near loved ones.
- Have caregivers wear a mask if within 6 feet of the infected person (especially if the ill are not wearing one).
- Keep a window open to help ventilate the home if weather permits.
- Limit the number of people in the home.
- Phone calls from well meaning loved ones are better than visiting during this time.
Tips for Home
Store a two week supply of water and food. If you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
Samples of needed food supplies :
- Ready to eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups
- Protein or fruit bars/dried fruit
- Dry Cereal or Granola
- Peanut butter or nuts
- Crackers
- Canned Juices and bottled water
- Canned or Jarred baby food and formula
- Pet Food
- Samples of vital Medical/Emergency Supplies.
- Prescribed glucose or blood pressure monitoring equipment
- Soap and water, or alcohol based hand wash (at least 60% alcohol)
- Anti-fever medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
- a thermometer
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Fluids with electrolytes, i.e. Pedialyte, Gatorade
- Cleaning supplies and garbage bags
- Flashlight and batteries
- Portable radio
- Manual can opener
- Tissues, toilet paper, diapers
Emergency Warning Signs
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• 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
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