Transcript Influenza - Allegheny County Immunization Coalition

It’s Not Too Late
To Vaccinate!
Overview
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What is the flu?
Signs and symptoms of the flu.
How the flu spreads.
How to prevent the flu.
Risks of vaccination.
Risks of not getting vaccinated.
What is the Flu?
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Defined as highly contagious, acute viral
respiratory infection that can occur in people
in all age groups.
A virus is different from bacteria: it cannot be
treated with antibiotics.
The flu just has to run its course.
What is the Flu??
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Also known as influenza.
It can be a mild to severe
illness and can lead to death.
In the USA 5% to 20% of
people get the flu every
year.
About 200,000 are
hospitalized a year.
About 36,000 die from the
flu a year.
Signs and Symptoms
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Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Headache
Chills
Muscle aches
Fatigue
How Long Can the Flu Last??
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Symptoms such as a
fever, sore throat,
headache, runny nose,
loss of appetite can last
3 to 7 days.
Cough and fatigue can
last up to 2 weeks.
Cold vs. Flu
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Cold
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Milder than flu
Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Headache
Sore throat
Cough
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Flu
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Worse than the common
cold
Fever
Body aches
Extreme tiredness
Dry cough
Headache
Death
How Does it Spread?
Coughing
Sneezing
Kissing
Household objects
Poor hand hygiene
Spreading the Flu In School
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Water fountains
Sharing drinks
Kissing
Close contact with
others
Sharing cigarettes
Locker rooms
Bringing Home the Flu
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If you catch the flu in
school, you can bring it
home to your family.
Your family can spread
to others: coworkers,
other families, people at
the grocery store, etc.
Flu Prevention
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Cover mouth when
coughing.
Cough into your sleeve
Wash hands frequently.
Use tissues when sneezing.
Throw used tissues in the
trash.
Avoid large crowds during
fall and winter months.
Stay home when you are
sick
But the best way to prevent the flu
is…….
THE FLU
VACCINE!!
When Should I Get The Flu
Vaccine?
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Flu season runs from
November to May.
As soon as it is
available, usually in the
fall, you can go at any
time to receive it.
Getting vaccinated in
December is still
beneficial.
How Often Should You Get the Flu
Vaccine?
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Only need vaccinated once a year.
It is most beneficial at the beginning of the flu
season.
Vaccination should be repeated every year due
to changes of the flu virus.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
New Recommendation
Everyone 6 months and older
Date of implementation
2010/2011 flu season
February 24, 2010 CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S.
Two Ways to Vaccinate!
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Injection
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Nasal Spray
Injection
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The “flu shot” is an
inactivated vaccine,
which means it contains
a killed virus.
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It is given with a needle.
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Injection site is in the
upper arm.
Discomforts Associated with
Injection
Mild problems include:
 Redness and soreness at injection site.
 Slight fever and cough.
 Usually lasts 1-2 days
 Take Tylenol for discomfort.
Nasal Spray
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A vaccine administered
through the nose.
Ages 2 - 49
Cannot receive if
pregnant.
It is a live virus vaccine
called “FluMist.”
Risk Factors Associated With
Both Vaccines
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Allergic reactions are rare, and usually occur within
minutes to hours.
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These include difficulty breathing, hoarseness, hives,
paleness, weakness, rapid heart beat or dizziness.
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Seek medical attention immediately
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Please report any known allergies especially eggs to
your health care provider prior to getting vaccinated
with flu vaccine.
Risks if NOT Vaccinated
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The flu can develop into
life threatening illnesses
such as pneumonia.
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Death can occur in
some cases.
Where To Get The Flu Vaccine
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Allegheny County Health Department
Health Care Provider
Health Clinics
Health Fairs
Local Pharmacies
Urgent Care Centers
School Vaccination Clinics
Some supermarkets & department stores
How Can I Learn More?
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Contact the Centers for Disease Control @
www.cdc.gov/flu or 1-800-CDC-INFO
Contact the Allegheny County health
Department @ www.achd.net or 412-687ACHD
Your health care provider can also answer any
questions you have.
Talk to your school nurse.
Don’t let the flu get you down.
Get Vaccinated.
Stay Healthy.
Have fun!!
Conclusion
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The flu is a highly infectious, contagious viral
disease.
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The benefits of getting the flu vaccine are
preventing serious illness, missing school and
activities, hospitalization and possibly death.
Works Cited
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www.cdc.gov/flu
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Ignatavicius, D., Medical Surgical Nursing Patient Centered Collaborative
Care. Saunders: St. Louis. 2010. pgs. 658-659.
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Donnelly, G (2004).Nosing into flu season. Nursing2004, 49-50.
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Ransom, J. (2009).School-lcated influenza vaccination clinics: Local heath
department perspectives. Journal of School Nursing, 25(1), 13-17.
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Whelon, J. & Corry, M. (2006). On guard against influenza. WIN, 14(9),
29-31.
Created by Students of
UPMC Mercy Hospital School of Nursing
Laura Caimi
Candice Dickson
Nicole Florentine
Jennifer Lee
Lisa Levin
Eric Medina
Melony Murray
Instructor
Mrs. Patricia Robinson, RN, MN
1400 Locust Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
with contributions from the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition