INFLUENZA (FLU) INFLUENZA (FLU) I. Overview: Affects 5% - 10% of the population yearly. Affects 5% -...

INFLUENZA (FLU)INFLUENZA (FLU)

I. Overview:I. Overview:

• Affects 5% - 10% of the population yearly.Affects 5% - 10% of the population yearly.

• Directly attributable to an average of Directly attributable to an average of 36,000 deaths each year in the U.S.36,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

• Over 90% of flu-related deaths occur in Over 90% of flu-related deaths occur in people > 65 years of age.people > 65 years of age.

• The rest occur mostly in children < 2 years The rest occur mostly in children < 2 years old and in people with high-risk medical old and in people with high-risk medical conditions (diabetes, cancer, etc.)conditions (diabetes, cancer, etc.)


II. Modes of transmission:II. Modes of transmission:

• Inhalation of the virus while it is in the air.Inhalation of the virus while it is in the air.• Contact with the virus from the droplets Contact with the virus from the droplets

(from coughing, sneezing, touching by (from coughing, sneezing, touching by the contaminated hands) on the the contaminated hands) on the surfaces:surfaces:

– Keyboards– Phones– Door knobs– Others


III. INFECTIOUS PERIODS:III. INFECTIOUS PERIODS: How long can an How long can an infected person shed the virus (and be contagious)?infected person shed the virus (and be contagious)?

• Adults:Adults: from ONE day from ONE day beforebefore the symptoms occur the symptoms occur until FIVE days after the onset.until FIVE days after the onset.

• Children:Children: can remain infectious for up to 10 days can remain infectious for up to 10 days after symptoms appear.after symptoms appear.

• People with weakened immune system:People with weakened immune system: Can shed the virus for weeks or even months.Can shed the virus for weeks or even months.


IV. SYMPTOMS: Is it a Cold or a Flu?SYMPTOMS COLD FLU

Fever Rare Usual (100F - >102F)

Chills Rare Common

Headache Rare Common

Body aches Slight Usual: often severe

Fatigue/weakness Sometimes Usual

Stuffy nose Common Sometimes

Sneezing Common Sometimes

Sore throat Common Sometimes

Cough Mild – moderate Can be severe


V. PROGNOSIS: V. PROGNOSIS: What happens next to the flu What happens next to the flu victims?victims?

• Flu is a self-limited disease in most people.Flu is a self-limited disease in most people.

• Uncomplicated cases resolve in 3 – 7 days.Uncomplicated cases resolve in 3 – 7 days.

• Cough and fatigue may last for up to 2 wks.Cough and fatigue may last for up to 2 wks.

• Complications Complications (please see the next slide)(please see the next slide) may may develop in certain groups of flu victims.develop in certain groups of flu victims.


VI. COMPLICATIONSVI. COMPLICATIONS

• Occur mainly in the high-risk groups:Occur mainly in the high-risk groups:

– Children 6 months – 5 years old.

– Pregnant women

– The elderly

– People with chronic medical conditions (diabetes, HIV, COPD, cancer, etc.)


VI. COMPLICATIONS – VI. COMPLICATIONS – continuedcontinued

• Pneumonia – the Pneumonia – the mostmost common complication. common complication.

• Middle ear infections.Middle ear infections.

• Acute sinusitis.Acute sinusitis.

• Bronchitis.Bronchitis.

• Death.Death.


VII. TREATMENTVII. TREATMENTA. General measures: A. General measures: • Increase fluid intake.Increase fluid intake.• Activities: as tolerated.Activities: as tolerated.

B. Symptomatic treatments:B. Symptomatic treatments:– Acetaminophen (first line) or Ibuprofen

(second line) for fever & aches.– DO NOT use Aspirin in children < 16 years

of age.– Cough syrup.


VII. TREATMENT – VII. TREATMENT – Cont.’dCont.’d

C. Antiviral medications:C. Antiviral medications:• Must be taken within the first 24-30 hoursMust be taken within the first 24-30 hours of of symptom onset to be effective.symptom onset to be effective.• Shorten the flu symptoms by 1 day.Shorten the flu symptoms by 1 day.• May reduce the complications of flu.May reduce the complications of flu.• Types of antiviral medications recommended for Types of antiviral medications recommended for the the 2008 -2009 flu season2008 -2009 flu season: :

1. Oseltamivir1. Oseltamivir

2. Zanamivir2. Zanamivir


VIII. PREVENTIONVIII. PREVENTION

A. GENERAL MEASURES:A. GENERAL MEASURES:• Maintain good health:

- Good, nutritious foods- Plenty of sleep- Minimize stress level - Exercise regularly- Avoid smoking- Avoid or minimize alcoholic drinks


VIII. PREVENTION – VIII. PREVENTION – Cont.’dCont.’d

A. GENERAL MEASURES – cont.’d:A. GENERAL MEASURES – cont.’d:• Minimize the risk of contracting the virus:

- Wash hands frequently.- Avoid touching the mouth, nose or eyes

unnecessarily.- Avoid (or minimize spending time in) the crowded

places (shopping malls, crowded waiting rooms, etc.) during the flu season.


VIII. PREVENTION – VIII. PREVENTION – Cont.’dCont.’d

B. VACCINATION:B. VACCINATION:• Two types are available: Two types are available:

– Attenuated (nasal spray): • Contains weakened but live virus.• May cause the flu in those with weakened immune system.

– Inactivated (injectable, aka “flu shot”): • Contains killed virus.• Used by the Wellness Center• Is generally safe.• Prevents the flu in about 80% of vaccinated healthy adults 65 and younger.

• Reduces hospitalization & death in elderly people.• Does NOT cause the flu.

INFLUENZA (FLU)INFLUENZA (FLU)The Final Thoughts….The Final Thoughts….

• The flu is:The flu is:– Much better prevented than treated.– Both widespread and expensive for patients and the health care system.

• Vaccination is:Vaccination is:– The cornerstone of prevention.– Still available at the Wellness Center for PBG employees and their spouses/domestic partners.

• Although complications are rare among healthy adults, Although complications are rare among healthy adults, dealing with fever, dealing with fever, chills, cough, bad headaches & body aches for 3 – 7 days is not a fun and chills, cough, bad headaches & body aches for 3 – 7 days is not a fun and easy task, and is so unnecessary,easy task, and is so unnecessary, especially when the flu shot is readily especially when the flu shot is readily available and generally safe!available and generally safe!

• It’s It’s NOT TOO LATE YETNOT TOO LATE YET to get the flu shot. to get the flu shot. So, please drop by the So, please drop by the Wellness Center if you haven’t got it yet.Wellness Center if you haven’t got it yet. No appointment necessary!No appointment necessary!

Thank you,

Sokan

INFLUENZA (FLU) INFLUENZA (FLU) I. Overview: Affects 5% - 10% of the population yearly. Affects 5% -...

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