The Flu and YouInfluenza Annual Training

2014-2015

To every patient, every time, we will provide the care that we would want for our own loved ones.

Objectives

This module will cover the following content:

•What is Influenza?•Signs and Symptoms•Complications of Influenza•Vaccination•Respiratory Etiquette•Treatment•Patient Care

What is Influenza?

Influenza is also known as the “flu” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild

to severe illness and sometimes lead to death.The flu is NOT a stomach virus.

Symptoms of Influenza

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

•Fever, or feeling feverish/chills•Cough•Sore throat•Runny or stuffy nose•Muscle or body aches•Headaches•Fatigue (very tired)•Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How Does the Flu Spread?

Person to PersonAccording to the Centers for Disease Control (2014), flu viruses are mainly spread by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk. People with Influenza can spread it to others for up to 6 feet away. In addition, a person may contract the virus by touching a surface that has been contaminated with the flu. This happens when a person touches a surface that has been contaminated, then touches their nose or mouth.

Coughing and sneezing generates the droplets that carry the virus. Please use a tissue and wash hands frequently.

How Long is Someone Contagious?

According to the CDC (2014), most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after symptoms develop.

Symptoms start 1-4 days after the virus enters the body

Children and people with weakened immune systems, are able to infect others for an even longer time.

You may be able to pass the virus to someone else before you know that you are sick.

You can have the virus before you know that you are sick

What are Complications of the Flu?

Most people who get Influenza recover within a few days, but some people will develop complications as a result of Influenza such as:•Pneumonia•Bronchitis•Sinus infection•Ear infection

Influenza can make chronic condition worsen. For example, a person with asthma may experience asthma attacks or someone with congestive heart failure (CHF) may experience worsening of symptoms when getting Influenza

How Severe is Influenza Every Year?

Influenza is unpredictable and it’s severity can vary widely from one season to the next depending on:•What viruses are spreading•How much vaccine is available•When the vaccine is available•How many people get vaccinated•How well the vaccine matches the virus that it circulating

Over the 2013-2014 Flu season, there were approximately 53,470 positive flu cases worldwide (CDC, 2014).

How Do I Prevent Influenza?

Get vaccinatedThe CDC recommends getting an annual flu vaccine as the first

and most important step in preventing InfluenzaTake everyday preventative actionsAvoid close contact with sick people

Wash your hands often with soap and waterIf you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible as

to limit their exposure

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Everyone 6 months and over is recommended for vaccination. All GBMC staff members, contractors, and

volunteers are required to receive the vaccination.

There are special groups that are at higher risk for complications of Influenza and should receive the vaccination as soon as it is available:•People with asthma•People with diabetes•People with heart disease or who have had a stroke•Adults 65 years or older•Pregnant women•People with HIV or AIDS•People who have Cancer•Children younger than 5 years old

When Should I Be Vaccinated?

•Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as the vaccine is available.

•It should continue throughout the flu season which can last as late as May.

•This is because the timing and duration of the flu season varies. While the flu season can begin as early as October, most of the time seasonal flu activity peaks in January or later.

What are the Contraindications to Vaccination?

•People who have a severe (anaphylactic) allergy to chicken eggs.

•People who have had a severe (anaphylactic) reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past. •People who develop Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.

•Children younger that 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).

•People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

High Risk Groups that Should Be Vaccinated

•Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu as soon as the 2012-2013 season vaccine is available.•People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.•Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.•Vaccination is also important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep fromspreading flu to high risk people.•Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Influenza Prevention Respiratory Etiquette

•Other ways you can prevent Influenza include good respiratory hygiene.

○Cover your cough/sneeze with your elbow (not your hands). ○Wash your hands frequently. ○Discard your tissues quickly into the appropriate trash receptacles. ○Keep 3 feet distance between someone coughing and sneezing.

Treatment for Influenza

•If you or a family member get the flu, the CDC recommends the following:

○Stay home from work and keep your children home from school. ○Drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. ○Usually over-the-counter anti-fever medications help with the symptoms. ○Antiviral medications may sometimes be prescribed to help lessen the duration of the infection.

Emergency Warning Signs

In Children:

•Fast breathing or trouble breathing•Bluish skin color•Not drinking enough fluids•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•Fever with a rash

In Adults

•Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath•Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen•Sudden dizziness•Confusion•Severe or persistent vomiting•Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Flu Patients at GBMC

•Seasonal Influenza patients are maintained on “droplet precautions.”•Droplet precautions requires wearing a mask/visor when working within 3 feet of the patient.•A droplet precautions sign will hang on the patient’s door, notifying you of the need to wear a mask/visor.

Patient Placement: Private room or cohorting mandatory

You must wear a MASK/VISORwhen working within 3 feet of

patient (or upon entering room).