H1N1 Flu & Seasonal Flu Public Health Nursing & Community Health Reps Shiprock Service Unit Navajo Area Indian Health Service October 29, 2009

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu: Everyday there is new information about the H1N1 flu and flu illness The H1N1 flu is like the seasonal flu illness that people get every winter 30,000 people die each year from seasonal flu – Seasonal flu shots are very important

2009 Flu Shots Each person needs one seasonal flu shot to be protected from routine winter flu illnesses There is an additional shot this year for the H1N1 flu illness. Children 2-10 years old need 2 shots.

Clean your hands: It is important to wash your hands often to kill germs you may have picked up from shaking hands or from things that you touched Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds Count to 20 to make sure you wash long enough Use alcohol based hand wipes and gel sanitizers when you can’t wash with soap and water

Dry your hands: Germs grow where it is wet Rubbing your hands with the towel helps get rid of all germs

Clean with bleach: Add a capful of bleach to a cup of water. Or, use your household cleaners. Clean surfaces that are often touched at home or work, like phones, tabletops, doorknobs, counters, and sinks Your bleach mixture is easy to use if you put it into a small spray bottle

Protect yourself: Stay away from sick people Do not touch your eyes, mouth, or nose – People can get the flu when someone who has the flu coughs or sneezes. Flu germs are left in the air that you breathe. Flu germs are left on surfaces that your hands touch.

Protect others: Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue into the trash Wash your hands after using a tissue Cough into your upper arm or a part of your clothing, if you do not have a tissue Do not cough into your hands. Flu germs will be left on the things you touch

Protect others: If you are sick, please stay home from work, school, shopping centers, church, etc Illnesses are passed from person to person Staying home helps protect other people from getting your illness. Staying home will help you feel better faster.

Fever: A fever is when the body’s temperature is higher than normal. This is usually a sign of illness A normal range is between 97.6ºF to 98.6ºF. There is a fever if the temperature reads greater than ºF It is important for every home to have a thermometer

If you are sick: You might be able to just stay home and rest. Common flu symptoms are cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, feeling very tired, or fever People with a common cold or a seasonal allergies usually do not have a fever Check to see if you are part of a “high risk group” – on the next slide.

Groups at higher risk of getting complications from the flu: children under 2 years of age; adults age 65 and older; pregnant women; women up to 2 weeks after giving birth; persons under 19 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment; and people of any age who have a – chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD, – diabetes, heart disease, cancer, kidney or liver disorders, – blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, weakened immune systems from medications or AIDS, – brain or spinal cord injuries, or neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis

If a person is sick and… 1. The person does not have a fever - temperature is less than 100.4°F. 2. The person has: Stuffy nose Runny nose Sore throat Cough Then the person… Probably has a cold. Should stay home and rest. Should watch for emergency signs.

If a person is sick and… 1. The person has a fever over 100.4°F. 2. The person has: 3. The person does not belong to a group at higher risk of developing flu-related complications Muscle aches Significant fatigue Runny nose Sore throat Headache Cough Then the person… Probably has the flu. Should stay home and rest. Can take care of the flu at home. Should watch for emergency signs.

If a person is sick and… 1. The person has a fever over 100.4°F. 2. The person has: 3. The person does belong to a group at higher risk of developing flu related complications Muscle aches Significant fatigue Runny nose Sore throat Headache Cough Then the person… Probably has the flu. Should call a doctor or the NM DOH Health Alert Hotline ( ) today. Or, go to the clinic. Might take care of the flu at home.

Taking care of flu at home Drink plenty of liquids. Take fever reducers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen as directed by your doctor. Rest at home until 24 hours after the fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medication.) People less than 20 years old with fever should not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products such as Pepto-Bismol. Children younger than 6 years of age should not be given over-the-counter cold medications without first speaking with a health care provider.

When is having the flu an emergency? 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 Go to the emergency room or clinic right away. Call or EMS ( ), if necessary.

For questions: DZ Clinic Shiprock - Northern Navajo Medical Center Red Mesa - Four Corners Regional Health Center