Healthy Living: Local News
Seasonal Flu Advice from the Alaska Nurses Association
Tools
Story Updated: Jul 27, 2011
Seasonal influenza (flu) is contagious. Flu (caused by viruses) spreads through respiratory droplets (carrying the viruses) from sneezing and coughing. Many viruses cause the flu; for the 2010-2011 flu season the vaccine protects against three viruses: 2009 H1N1, an H3N2, and an influenza B virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends yearly vaccination because our immunity against the flu decreases over time. In addition, each year CDC uses research-based information to decide the vaccine protection; viruses against which we receive protection through vaccination may vary year to year. For the best protection, seek vaccination as soon as possible; it takes approximately 2 weeks after vaccination for our bodies to make antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection.
Flu may be mild or severe; a person usually becomes sick quickly. The following are symptoms a person may experience: fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone will have a fever), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness), and vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults). Why is the flu serious? Some children and adults may become seriously ill; some may even die. If you think you have the flu, call your Doctor as soon as your symptoms start, there may be antiviral medication to treat your flu. Remember always take medication as prescribed.
Are you at risk? Young children, pregnant women, people over 65 years of age, and people of any age with chronic disease (ask your doctor) are at higher risk for the flu. How can you decrease the spread of flu and increase your ability to fight the flu viruses? If you are a healthcare worker, parent of a young child, caregiver to an elderly person, work with those with chronic disease, or are pregnant you should get the flu vaccine unless there is a contraindication for you. The CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older receive annual influenza vaccination.
What can you do to decrease the spread of the flu virus for your family, friends, and coworkers? Cough or sneeze into the collar of your shirt or dress, wash your hands after using a tissue to blow your nose, do not share drinking cups or eating utensils or toothbrushes, take the time to wipe down common handles in your home such as door knobs, bathroom knobs, kitchen knobs and refrigerator handle, wash hand towels daily, have each family member use his or her own towel, clean with a simple solution of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water (mixed solution effective for 24 hours so make just what you need at one time for cleaning). In addition, stay home when you are sick (and rest!), do not visit others when you are sick, and use a product for hand sanitation if you are unable to access soap and water frequently. Remember, washing hands for 15 seconds with warm water and soap, drying your hands thoroughly, and keeping your hands free of cracks and injury, are very effective to decrease the spread of any disease including the flu.
Just in case you are wondering if staying healthy is good for our local economy, the answer is yes. According to the CDC, "every year influenza, or "flu," affects employers and businesses. Flu costs businesses approximately $10.4 billion in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults" www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/business/Toolkit_Seasonal_Flu_For_Businesses_and_Employers.pdf Business owners may want to consider buying flu vaccine for their employees. If assessment and administration of the flu vaccine is of concern, business owners may contact the Alaska Nurses Association, local public health nursing health centers, and the State Board of Nursing for nursing resources to help fight the flu.
In our State of Alaska, for public health questions, human health concerns or planning information for pandemic flu, call 1-888-9Panflu (1-888-972-6358). Anchorage residents can call the local line: (907) 334-2292. For more information, two trusted web sites are www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm and www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov This article based on information from these two web sites.
Linda K. Worman, D.M., RN, Public Health Nurse Board of Director member for AaNA
Flu may be mild or severe; a person usually becomes sick quickly. The following are symptoms a person may experience: fever or feeling feverish/chills (not everyone will have a fever), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness), and vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults). Why is the flu serious? Some children and adults may become seriously ill; some may even die. If you think you have the flu, call your Doctor as soon as your symptoms start, there may be antiviral medication to treat your flu. Remember always take medication as prescribed.
Are you at risk? Young children, pregnant women, people over 65 years of age, and people of any age with chronic disease (ask your doctor) are at higher risk for the flu. How can you decrease the spread of flu and increase your ability to fight the flu viruses? If you are a healthcare worker, parent of a young child, caregiver to an elderly person, work with those with chronic disease, or are pregnant you should get the flu vaccine unless there is a contraindication for you. The CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older receive annual influenza vaccination.
What can you do to decrease the spread of the flu virus for your family, friends, and coworkers? Cough or sneeze into the collar of your shirt or dress, wash your hands after using a tissue to blow your nose, do not share drinking cups or eating utensils or toothbrushes, take the time to wipe down common handles in your home such as door knobs, bathroom knobs, kitchen knobs and refrigerator handle, wash hand towels daily, have each family member use his or her own towel, clean with a simple solution of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water (mixed solution effective for 24 hours so make just what you need at one time for cleaning). In addition, stay home when you are sick (and rest!), do not visit others when you are sick, and use a product for hand sanitation if you are unable to access soap and water frequently. Remember, washing hands for 15 seconds with warm water and soap, drying your hands thoroughly, and keeping your hands free of cracks and injury, are very effective to decrease the spread of any disease including the flu.
Just in case you are wondering if staying healthy is good for our local economy, the answer is yes. According to the CDC, "every year influenza, or "flu," affects employers and businesses. Flu costs businesses approximately $10.4 billion in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults" www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/business/Toolkit_Seasonal_Flu_For_Businesses_and_Employers.pdf Business owners may want to consider buying flu vaccine for their employees. If assessment and administration of the flu vaccine is of concern, business owners may contact the Alaska Nurses Association, local public health nursing health centers, and the State Board of Nursing for nursing resources to help fight the flu.
In our State of Alaska, for public health questions, human health concerns or planning information for pandemic flu, call 1-888-9Panflu (1-888-972-6358). Anchorage residents can call the local line: (907) 334-2292. For more information, two trusted web sites are www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm and www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov This article based on information from these two web sites.
Linda K. Worman, D.M., RN, Public Health Nurse Board of Director member for AaNA
