1. You and the Flu 2012-2013 Flu Information
James R. Ginder, MS, NREMT,PI,CHES,NCEE
Health Education Specialist
Hamilton County Health Department

2. The Reader Will Be Able To…
List the symptoms of the flu
Explain three ways the flu can be transmitted
Define what two kinds of flu vaccine are available
Name three ways to prevent the flu

3. What Is Influenza (Flu)
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the
Nose
Throat
Lungs
It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year

4. Signs and Symptoms Of Flu…
People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
Fever or feeling feverish/chilled
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.

5. How It Is Transmitted…
The flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu:
Cough
Sneeze
Or talk
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby
Less often, a person might also develop the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose

6. Period Of Contagion…
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
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick
Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

7. Groups At Risk For Transmitting The Flu…
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu include:
Healthcare workers
Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

8. Complications Of Flu… Complications of flu can include:
Bacterial pneumonia
Ear and sinus infections
Dehydration
Worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as:
Congestive heart failure
Asthma
Diabetes

9. Groups At Higher Risk For Developing Flu Complications…
Children 6 months to 18 years of age
Pregnant women
People 50 years of age and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (heart, lung or kidney disease and weakened immune systems)
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

10. What Viruses Will Be In the 2012-2013 Flu Vaccine…
On February 23, 2012 the WHO recommended that the Northern Hemisphere's seasonal influenza vaccine be made from the following three vaccine viruses:
an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
an A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus
a B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus (from the B/Yamagata lineage of viruses)
New Flu Vaccine
This vaccine is different than the one used in the flu season

11. The Flu Vaccine… Flu Shot
Inactivated vaccines (containing killed virus) that are given with a needle
A high-dose vaccine for people 65 and older which also is given intramuscularly

12. The Flu Vaccine… There are two types of flu vaccine:
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season.
There are two types of flu vaccine:
Inactivated (Killed)
Live (Weakned)
There are several methods that the flu vaccine can be give

13. The Flu Vaccine…
An intradermal vaccine for people 18 to 64 years of age which is injected with a shorter needle into the “dermis” or skin.
If you are interested in this vaccine, contact your health care provider

14. The Flu Vaccine…
FluMist vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”).
The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu.
LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

15. Who Needs To Be Vaccinated…
Everyone should receive a flu vaccine for the flu season
Except if the person is:
Under six months of age
Or has a severe egg allergy

16. Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated…
People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
People who have previously had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination
People who developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine
Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group)
People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)

17. Children And Flu Vaccine
Older children need one dose of the flu vaccine each year
Some children younger than 9 years of age need two doses to protect them
Ask your healthcare provider for more information

18. When Should I Get My Flu Vaccine…
CDC recommends that influenza vaccination begin as soon as vaccine becomes available in the community and continue throughout the flu season.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza. Influenza season can begin as early as October.

19. What Are The Side Effects Of The Flu Vaccine…
Mild side effects include:
Soreness, redness, or swelling at the vaccination site
Hoarseness, cough
Red or itchy eyes
Fever, body aches and fatigue
Headaches
Itching
If these symptoms do develop, they beng soon after vaccination and last 1-2 days

20. What Are The Side Effects Of FluMist (Live Vaccine)
FluMist is made from a weakened virus and DOES NOT cause the flu
The vaccine can cause mild symptoms in people who receive the vaccine
The mild symptoms include:
Runny nose, nasal congestion
Cough, sore throat, wheezing
Chills, tiredness/weakness
Abdominal pain or occasional vomiting or diarrhea

21. How To Prevent The Flu… Avoid close contact:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

22. How To Prevent The Flu… Wash your hands
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth
Practice other good health habits
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food

23. Handwashing…

24. How To Use Hand Antiseptics

25. Cover Your Cough…
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands, when a tissue is not available
Put your used tissue in the waste
basket
Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing
Wash with soap and water or alcohol- based hand sanitizer

26. Antiviral Drugs And Flu…
When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days.
They also can prevent serious flu complications.
Treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus a very serious illness. Getting the flu could result in a hospital stay for people with a high risk medical condition.

27. Antiviral Drugs And Flu…
There are two antiviral drugs recommended this season.
The brand names for these are:
Tamiflu® (generic name oseltamivir)
Tamiflu ® is available in pills or liquid
Relenza® (generic name zanamivir)
Relenza ® is a powder that is inhaled and it is not recommended for people with breathing problems, such as asthma or COPD

28. What If I Get Sick?
Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs
In most cases, people who get sick with flu symptoms should STAY HOME and avoid contact with others unless they need medical care
If you have symptoms of flu and are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your healthcare provider

29. How Long Should I Stay Home…
Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided except to get medical care or do other things no one else can do for you
Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®
You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings

30. 5 Steps To Take If You Develop The Flu…
Stay at home and rest
Avoid close contact with well people in your house so you won’t make them sick
Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss (dehydration)
Treat fever and cough with medicines you can buy at the store
If you get very sick, are pregnant or have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk of flu complications (like asthma...), call your doctor. You might need antiviral medicine to treat flu.

31. Flu Emergencies In Infants…
If your infant has any of the following symptoms, call their healthcare provider ASAP:
Inability to eat
Trouble breathing
No tears when crying
Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal

32. Flu Emergencies In Children…
If your child has any of the symptoms below, call their healthcare provider ASAP:
Fast or troubled 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 worsened cough
Fever with rash

33. Flu Emergencies In Adults…
If you have any of the symptoms below, call your healthcare provider ASAP:
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 worsened cough

34. Do You Have The Flu Or A Cold

35. Symptom Cold Flu Fever Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Cough
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is common with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not common with the flu.
Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat
Sore throat is common with a cold.
Sore throat is not common with the flu.
Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. 35

36. Evaluation…
Please click on the picture below to complete the evaluation

37. Source… Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Center For Disease Control and Prevention
Vaccine Information Statement “Influenza Vaccine ”
World Health Organization
If you use any of this information, please site the Hamilton County Health Department 37