Flu News CDC Says “Take 3” Actions to Fight the Flu Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu): /Number 1.jpg) Take time to get a flu vaccine.
· CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. · While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common. · The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season. · Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu as soon as the 2010-2011 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, 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 also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading 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. /Number 2.jpg) Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. · Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. · Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way. · Try to avoid close contact with sick people. · If you are sick with flu–like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) · While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
/Number 3.jpg) Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
· If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness. · Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter. · Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications. · It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early (within the first 2 days of symptoms) to treat people who are very sick (such as those who are hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu symptoms and who are at increased risk of severe flu illness, such as pregnant women, young children, people 65 and older, and people with certain chronic health conditions. · Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
Avian Flu Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available. Treatment and vaccination for HPAI H5N1 virus in humans The HPAI H5N1 virus that has caused human illness and death in Asia is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for influenza A. However, these drugs are not recommended for influenza treatment at this time because of resistance among both HPAI H5N1 and resistance against circulating human influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamivir and zanamivir, can be used for the treatment of HPAI H5N1 although WHO guidance includes a preference for oseltamivir. For more information on the treatment of HPAI H5N1, visit: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/guidelines/ClinicalManagement07.pdf.
Pandemic Influenza Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu. Short Term School Closures Do Not Control Flu Epidemics
Closing schools for less than two weeks during an influenza epidemic has no effect on infection rates, according to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, RTI International, and the Allegheny County Health Department. The study, published online this week in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, was developed from a series of computer simulations that characterize influenza transmission in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania. The findings indicate that schools may need to be closed for at least eight weeks in order to significantly reduce the spread of infection. Closing schools has been considered and used as strategy to stem or slow the current H1N1 influenza pandemic. Indeed, hundreds of schools across the country have been closed at different periods during 2009 to prevent the spread of infection. For the complete story, click here. The Pandemic Influenza Storybook The need for the Pandemic Influenza Storybook became evident as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) throughout the country for public health professionals involved with a variety of emergency response communications activities. The “Basic” CERC course debuted in 2002 and two additional modules have been added; “Leaders for Leaders” and “Pandemic Influenza”. The storybook is a resource tool for the latter module for certified CERC trainers and trainees. The online storybook contains narratives from survivors, families, and friends who lived through the 1918 and 1957 pandemics. Additionally, stories from the 1968 pandemic will be added to this resource as they become available. Click here for the Pandemic Influenza Storybook. Seasonal Influenza Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available. CDC Reports Record Lows for Influenza Cases
According to the CDC, for the week ending January 23, influenza activity remained at approximately the same levels as last week, which is below historical levels for January. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 1.7%, falling below the national baseline of 2.3%. Only 2-out-of-10 regions (the Southeast and Southwest) reported ILI equal to their region-specific baseline. No states reported widespread influenza activity, five states reported regional influenza activity and nine states reported local influenza activity. Three states reported no influenza activity. For the complete article, click here.
Flu Fighters Visit School in Texas
Using martial arts routines and music, the Flu Fighters -- also known as Terrell Shaw and Edgar Ruiz from the Texas Department of State Health Services – show children how to ward off the disease.
Children are urged to wash their hands for 20 seconds, cover their coughs and sneezes, stay home when they're sick and get a flu shot. Terrell and Ruiz said germs can be spread by shaking hands, getting close to someone and high-fives. They are also shown a video from the Discovery Channel of a slow-motion sneeze highlighted with ultraviolet light. Shaw said the emission travels 90 mph and packs 1 million germs.
To download a copy of the Flu Fighters video and activity book go to www.TexasFlu.org.
For the complete story, click here.
Immunization Action Coalition Released January 2010 issue of 'Needle Tips' - NEW
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has recently released its January 2010 issue of Needle Tips, for all health professionals who give vaccines. Also available is Vaccinate Adults, a version of Needle Tips modified for those who work only with adult patients. Both are now available for online reading and/or printing.
These publications contain ready-to-print educational materials for healthcare professionals and their patients, updated immunization schedules, vaccine news highlights, and IAC’s popular “Ask the Experts” question-and-answer column with answers by CDC experts William Atkinson, MD, MPH, and Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH. The current issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults focus on seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
IAC is now in its second year of publishing these periodicals exclusively online. Current and past issues of Needle Tips are available at www.immunize.org/nt and Vaccinate Adults at www.immunize.org/va. To receive direct notification when new issues are published, subscribe at www.immunize.org/subscribe. On this page, you can also subscribe for free to IAC’s weekly email news service, IAC Express, which keeps you up to date on immunization news between issues of IAC’s periodicals.
How to Prevent the Flu
1) Get Plenty of Rest - Otherwise your immune system won't function optimally.
2) Engage in a Good Cardiovascular Workout - This kind of exercise naturally strengthens the immune system. 3) Wash Your Hands Regularly 4) Keep Your Hands Away from Your Face 5) Be Cautious of Crowds - Child daycare, church, sporking events, concerts and airplanes all warrent extra precaution. Whereever children congregate in large numbers, the flu is there too. Now is a great time to teach your children about the importance of hand-washing. 6) Get the vaccine - The flu vaccine is strongly recommended for the old and young, and just about everyone in-between. For the complete article, click here.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Shares the Same Symptoms as the Flu
You've got a headache, nausea and fatigue. It has to be the flu, right?
Not necessarily, according to doctors who say that during this time of year, they see an uptick in the number of carbon monoxide poisonings caused by malfunctioning gas furnaces, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, and propane heaters. Many people might not be aware that they are being poisoned because the gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include blurred vision, disorientation, shortness of breath and vomiting. But the big difference between carbon monoxide poisoning and the flu is that symptoms disappear once someone goes outside. For tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, click here. H1N1 Influenza H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs, and currently in humans. A vaccine is expected to be made available in early October, and the disease responds to anti-viral drugs.
Sanofi Recalls Flu Vaccine
The French manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur is voluntarily recalling about 800,000 doses of vaccine meant for children between the ages of 6 months and 35 months. The company and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized that the recall was not prompted by safety concerns, and that even though the vaccine isn't quite as potent as it's supposed to be, children who received it don't have to be immunized again against H1N1. The CDC emphasized that there is no danger for any child who received this type of vaccine. When asked what parents should do, CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said, "absolutely nothing." He said if children receive this vaccine, they will be fine. For CNN's story, click here. For the CDC's article, click here.
Think You Have the Flu?
You're feeling feverish and tired and have a runny nose, sore throat, and cough. Could this be the flu? A handful of websites can help you find the answer from the comfort of home. The newest is AMAfluhelp.org, launched by the American Medical Association in partnership with Healthy Circles and Microsoft. Other options include online tools offered by the Mayo Clinic and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The goal is to help you figure out whether you need to see a doctor. To see the write up on each website and access links to all three of them, please click here.
H1N1 Patient Care Checklist
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a new patient care checklist for hospital staff worldwide to use when treating suspected or confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1). It is not intended to be comprehensive or to replace routine care or clinical judgment, but all hospitals are encouraged to use the checklist and to modify it as appropriate for their local practice setting. Some specific recommendations can be found here.
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