Transcript Introduction to the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

Bloodborne
and Airborne
Pathogens
Introduction
to the
Bloodborne
Pathogen Standard
Chapter 1
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Copyright ©2009 by the National Safety Council. All rights reserved.
OSHA
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
• Designed to eliminate or
minimize employees’
exposure to human blood and
other potentially infectious
materials (OPIM) in the
workplace
• Went into effect in 1992
1-3
Who is covered?
• All employees who may
reasonably expect to be
exposed to blood and
OPIM that may contain
pathogens
• Anyone whose job
involves handling or
possibly being exposed to
blood or blood products, or
OPIM
1-4
What are pathogens?
Germs transmitted from one person to another
• Germs transmitted
from one
person
through contact
with
bloodtooranother
OPIM through
contact with blood or OPIM
Microscopic Germs
1-5
Caution!
You do NOT need
to directly contact
someone carrying a
bloodborne pathogen
to be at risk for
exposure!
Risks also come from:
• Clinical specimens
• Biohazardous trash
• Blood- or body fluid-soaked
laundry
• Needles or sharps
1-6
Annual Training Required:
• How diseases are transmitted and their symptoms
• Protective measures to prevent exposure
• Procedures to be followed if exposed
1-7
Exposure Control Plan
• OSHA requirement
• Must describe:
–
–
–
–
Exposure prevention
Engineering and work practice controls
Universal precautions
Personal protective equipment
• OSHA record keeping requirements
1-8
Other Regulations
• Needlestick safety and prevention act
– Identify, evaluate, and implement safer medical
devices
– Keep sharps injury log
1-9
Bloodborne
Pathogens
Chapter 2
McGraw-
Copyright ©2009 by the National Safety Council. A
Infectious Disease Transmission
Stages of Disease
Stages of Disease
Transmission:
Transmission:
1. Someone has the
infection.
2. The infectious
pathogen leaves
the infected
person’s body.
2-11
Infectious Disease
Transmission:
3.
The infectious pathogen
reaches another person and
enters his or her body.
Transmission:
Transmission:
-- Bloodborne
Bloodborne
-- Airborne
Airborne
-- Vector
Vector
-- Direct
Direct or
or indirect
indirect contact
contact
4. The second person develops
the infection.
2-12
Serious Bloodborne Pathogens
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
HIV Virus
2-13
Measures
• Measures you take
to prevent HBV,
HCV, and HIV also
help prevent
diseases caused by
other bloodborne
pathogens
2-14
OPIM
• Saliva containing
blood
• Semen
• Vaginal
secretions
• Breast milk
• Amniotic fluid
Blood in saliva during dental exam
2-15
OPIM
• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Synovial fluid
• Pleural fluid
2-16
OPIM
• Peritoneal fluid
• Pericardial fluid
• Any body fluid
visibly
contaminated
with blood (such
as vomit or urine)
2-17
Do Exposures Always Cause Infection?
NO
• Whether pathogens are
present in the source
blood or body fluid
The risk of infection
after an exposure depends
on:
• The type of injury or
exposure
• The number of pathogens
present
• Your current health and
immunization status
2-18
Hepatitis B
2-19
Hepatitis B
• Caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV)
• Transmitted by blood and OPIM
• Found in all body fluids
• Blood and semen are the most infectious
2-20
Hepatitis B
• Major cause of liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer
• Infections are declining
• Still infects about 60,000 people yearly
• About 3,000-5,000 people die of liver problems
associated with HBV infection every year
2-21
HBV
• Incubation period averages 12 weeks
• Infection can
– Cause acute hepatitis or
– A chronic (long-term) infection
• Chronic HBV can be infectious for decades
2-22
How is HBV Spread?
• Injection
– Needlesticks
– Puncture wounds
• Mucous membranes
– Eyes and mouth
– Nonintact skin (abrasions)
• Sexual activity
• Infected mother to newborn at birth
2-23
HBV Transmission
• Contaminated environmental surfaces
• At room temperature HBV may survive for several days
in dried body fluids on surfaces
• HBV more easily transmitted than HIV:
- Lives longer outside the body
- Little blood needed to cause infection
2-24
HBV not transmitted by:
• Food or water
• Fecal matter
• Through the air
– sneeze or cough
• Casual contact
– shaking hands, hugging,
kissing, or sharing a meal,
utensils, or a drinking glass
2-25
Symptoms of HBV
About 30% have no symptoms at all
Flu-like symptoms may appear gradually
Loss of appetite
Nausea, vomiting
Fatigue
Muscle or joint aches
Mild fever
Stomach pain
Occasionally jaundice
2-26
How Do I Know If I Have HBV?
• Only certain way to know is to have a blood test
• Blood test may not indicate the virus shortly after being
infected
2-27
Hepatitis B Vaccine
• Best protection
• No risk of developing
hepatitis
• Three doses given by
injection on three different
dates
• Most common reaction is
soreness at the injection site
2-28
HBV Vaccine Recommended:
• Employees at risk
• Those who have unprotected sex
with a partner who has HBV or
have sex with more than one
partner
• People who have anal sex
2-29
HBV Vaccine Recommended:
• Those who use intravenous
recreational drugs
• People with hemophilia
• Those who frequently travel to or live
in countries where HBV is common
• Those who live with someone with
lifelong HBV
2-30
HBV Vaccine Effectiveness
• Prevents hepatitis B in ~ 95% of
people
• After receiving the three shots, you
can be tested to make certain you
are protected
• Important if you have a compromised
immune system or your job
frequently exposes you to human
blood
2-31
OSHA Standard and HBV Vaccine
• Requires employers to offer the HBV vaccine to
employees at risk at no cost, at a convenient time and
place, and during their normal work hours
• You have the right to:
• Refuse the vaccine (You must sign a declination form)
• Change your mind and have the vaccination at a later date
2-32
OSHA Standard
Requires Employers to:
• Offer training and HBV vaccine before starting a work
assignment
• Explain to employees that vaccination is voluntary
• Make certain employees receive proper medical
treatment following any exposure
2-33
Prevention of HBV Infection
• Get the HBV vaccine
• Use barrier devices to prevent
contact with any blood and
OPIM
• Handle sharps carefully
• Avoid recreational IV drugs,
tattooing, and body piercing
without sterile tools
• Do not share personal items
2-34
Hepatitis C
2-35
Hepatitis C
• Liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV)
• Lives in the blood of people with the disease
• Spread via the blood
• Incubation period averages 7 weeks
• 3.2 million people in the U.S. have chronic HCV infection
2-36
Hepatitis C
• About 26,000 new infections occur each year
• Many people who carry HCV have some liver damage
but do not get sick from it
• Other people develop cirrhosis of the liver, resulting in
eventual liver failure
2-37
How is HCV Spread?
• Most often through drug
injections with
contaminated needles
• Unclean tattoo or body
piercing tools
• Sharing contaminated
toothbrushes, razors
or other personal items
2-38
How is HCV Spread?
• From a pregnant woman to the fetus
• Rarely, though sexual contact
• In healthcare, via direct contact with infectious blood
through an accidental needlestick or sharps injury
2-39
Symptoms of HCV
• Most infected people
do not have
symptoms
• Some have:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Weight loss
- Alcohol intolerance
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of concentration
- Jaundice
2-40
How Do I Know If I Have HCV?
Blood test
• A false positive test can occur with HCV tests
• Positive tests should have a follow-up test
• False negative test results may also occur with
HCV usually shortly after infection when
antibodies have not yet developed
2-41
HCV Testing
• Anyone who has:
– Been exposed to HCV-positive blood
– Used intravenous recreational drugs
– Received a blood transfusion or organ
transplant
– Been on kidney dialysis prior to 1992
– Been treated with a blood product prior to 1987
– Signs of liver disease
2-42
HCV Testing Is Important
• Treatment can be given to protect the liver from
additional damage
• HCV carriers can take preventive measures to avoid
spreading HCV to others
2-43
Prevention of HCV Infection
No vaccine available for HCV and there is No cure
Prevention
is
critical
2-44
Preventive Measures
• Handle needles and other sharps with caution
• Use barriers to prevent contact with blood and OPIM
(wear gloves)
• Avoid recreational intravenous drug use
• Never reuse or share syringes, or drug paraphernalia
2-45
Preventative Measures
• Don’t share toothbrushes, razors, personal care items
• Get vaccinated against HBV
• Remember the health risks associated with tattoos and
body piercing if tools are not sterile or sanitary practices
are not followed
2-46
HIV and AIDS
2-47
HIV and AIDS
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
• There are almost one million HIV-positive people in the
U.S.
¼ of people are
unaware of their
HIV infection
2-48
HIV and AIDS
• AIDS damages cells essential for immune function
• People with AIDS are more susceptible to
opportunistic infections
• The disease is eventually fatal
2-49
How Is HIV Spread?
Through an infected person’s body fluids:
•
•
•
•
•
Blood
Semen
Vaginal secretions
Breast milk
OPIM if blood is present
2-50
Transmission in Healthcare
Some health workers are infected with HIV through workrelated exposures involving blood or OPIM
2-51
Transmission in Healthcare
• Infection is most likely to
occur with exposure to
HIV-contaminated blood,
blood components, or
blood products through:
• Injection through the skin
• Unprotected mucous
membranes
• An open skin wound
2-52
HIV not Transmitted Through Casual Contact:
• Sharing a drinking glass, a meal, or fork
• Kissing, hugging, or touching
• Sneezes or coughs
• Sharing a phone or bathroom
• With mosquitos, fleas, ticks, or other bloodsucking
vermin
2-53
Symptoms of HIV
• Many people with HIV have no symptoms
• HIV can take many years to develop into AIDS
Microscopic HIV Virus
2-54
AIDS Symptoms
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Fever
Skin rashes
Swollen lymph nodes
Diarrhea
Tiredness
Night sweats
Inability to fight off
infection
2-55
How Do I Know If I Have HIV?
• A blood test
• The result is usually positive 12 weeks after exposure
• A confirmation test is recommended 6 months after an
exposure
2-56
Prevention of HIV Infection
No vaccine available for HIV and there is No cure
Prevention
is
critical
2-57
Prevention of HIV Infection
• Regular hand washing
• Use of barriers
• Universal precautions
2-58
Preventing
Infection
from Bloodborne Pathogens
Chapter 3
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Copyright ©2009 by the National Safety Council. All rights reserved.
OSHA Standard
Requires employers to use
strategies to reduce
occupational exposures:
• Engineering controls
• Work practice controls
• Personal protective equipment
• Universal precautions
3-60
Engineering Controls
• Needleless IV systems
• Eye wash stations
• Handwashing facilities
• Sharps containers
• Biohazard labels
3-61
Sharps
• Needles and other sharps are
a great risk to healthcare
workers
• Other systems are needleless,
have needle shields,
retractable needles, or other
protective devices
• Employers are required to
evaluate the feasibility of such
devices annually
3-62
Sharps Containers
• Employers must document
engineering controls being
considered
– OSHA requires employee input
• Must be present for safe disposal of
used sharps
• Must be:
–
–
–
–
Leak proof
Puncture resistant
Securely closeable
Labeled with a biohazard warning
3-63
Handwashing and Eye Wash Stations
• Handwashing facilities must be provided (when possible)
– Waterless antiseptic hand cleanser may be provided when
handwashing is not possible
• Eye wash stations must be available when appropriate
3-64
Warning Labels
Must be displayed on:
Must be displayed on:
• Containers for waste that may
contain biohazardous waste
• Freezers and refrigerators used
for blood or OPIM
• Containers used to transport,
ship, or store blood or OPIM
3-65
Warning Labels
Must be displayed on:
• Contaminated equipment
until properly cleaned
• Laundry bags used to hold
and transport contaminated
clothing
• Entrances to places
containing OPIM
3-66
Infectious waste must
be disposed of in
labeled red containers
or in containers clearly
marked with a
universal biohazard
symbol
Waste
3-67
Work Practice
Controls
3-68
Work Practice Controls
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Handwashing
• Decontamination and sterilization of equipment
and areas
3-69
Work Practice Controls
• Safely handling sharps
• Correctly disposing of wastes
• Safely handling laundry
• Work area restrictions
3-70
Handwashing Guidelines
• Immediately wash any exposed skin (ideally with
antibacterial soap)
• Be gentle with any scabs or sores
3-71
Handwashing Guidelines
• Wash all surfaces,
including the backs of
hands, wrists, between
the fingers, and under
fingernails
• Wash hands
immediately after
removing gloves or other
PPE
3-72
Waterless Handwashing
• Antiseptic towelettes and
waterless antibacterial
handwashing liquid can be
used when soap and running
water are not available
• After a potential exposure, a
thorough scrubbing with
soap and water is still
recommended as soon as
possible
3-73
Decontamination and Sterilization
• Clean and sterilize all reusable sharps after use
(i.e., knives, scissors, scalpels)
• Decontaminate equipment and working
surfaces, bench tops, and floors with 10%
bleach solution
– At end of work shift
– As surfaces become obviously contaminated
– After any spill of blood or OPIM
3-74
Decontamination and Sterilization
• Disinfect nail brushes, etc. after handwashing
3-75
Handling Sharps
3-76
Handling Sharps:
Guidelines:
Guidelines:
• Employers must put sharps disposal
containers in easily accessible areas
where sharps are used
• Needles must not be recapped,
removed, bent, sheared, or broken
• The entire needle/syringe assembly
must be disposed of in a sharps
container
3-77
Handling Sharps:
Guidelines:
Guidelines:
• A mechanical device may be used to
recap a contaminated needle or
remove it from a disposable syringe
when necessary
– The exposure control plan must specify
when, why, and how this is done and by
whom
3-78
Regulated Waste
Regulated waste requiring
Special handling:
• Blood or OPIM in liquid or
semi-liquid state
• Items contaminated with
blood or OPIM that could
release liquid or semiliquid blood or OPIM if
squeezed
3-79
Regulated Waste
Regulated waste
requiring
Special handling:
• Items with dried blood
that could be spread by
handling
• Contaminated sharps
• Lab specimens
containing blood or OPIM
3-80
Laundry
• Uniforms, clothing, and
cloth supplies should be
kept free from
contamination when
possible
• Clothing that becomes
contaminated with blood
or OPIM must be put in
special labeled and colorcoded laundry bags
3-81
Laundry
• Must be sent to an
approved laundry facility
for cleaning
• Anyone handling
contaminated laundry
must be trained to handle
bloodborne pathogens
• Never take contaminated
clothing home to wash
3-82
Work Area Restrictions
• Smoke
In places where blood is
stored/handled
• Put on lip balm, hand lotion,
DO NOT!
or cosmetics
• Eat or drink
• Handle contact lenses
• Store food
3-83
Work Area Restrictions
DO NOT!
• Put objects in your
mouth where
potentially infectious
materials may be
present (i.e.. pencils,
pens)
• Use a sink that is
used for food
preparation
3-84
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE
3-85
PPE
• Gloves
• Jumpsuits, aprons
• Eye shields, goggles
• Face masks, face shields
• Caps
• Booties
3-86
OSHA Standard
Requires that your employer:
• Provide PPE at no cost
• Train you how to use equipment
• Must clean, repair, or replace it as needed
3-87
Medical Exam Gloves
• Made of
– nitrile
– vinyl
– latex or other
• Latex allergy risk:
ask for latex-free or
hypoallergenic gloves
3-88
Medical Exam Gloves
• Check that gloves
are intact
– If not, replace glove
• Avoid petroleumbased hand lotions
3-89
Medical Exam Gloves
• Remove contaminated
gloves carefully, not
touching any part of the
outside of the gloves
3-90
Medical Exam Gloves
• Dispose of gloves in a
container clearly
marked for
biohazardous waste
3-91
Jumpsuits, Aprons,
and Lab Coats
• Can protect clothing
from contamination
• Available in different
thicknesses and
materials
3-92
Jumpsuits, Aprons,
and Lab Coats
• Remove contaminated
clothing immediately
• Avoid contact with skin
• Put article in a clearly
marked biohazardous
laundry bag
3-93
Goggles and
Eye Shields
PPE for eyes includes goggles, safety glasses with side
shields, and face shields
3-94
Goggles and
Eye Shields
• A splash in the eyes
may allow bloodborne
pathogens into the
body
• Eye protection
recommended when
cleaning spills or
performing first aid
• Use side shields with
prescription glasses
3-95
Face Shields
and Face Masks
• Face shields
protect eyes,
mouth, and nose
• Face masks
protect the mouth
and nose
– With goggles or
safety glasses,
face masks help
protect the whole
face
3-96
Caps and
Booties
• Cover hair
and forehead
• Cover shoes
or boots
3-97
PPE
Improvise!
• Be creative to avoid contact,
use items including:
– plastic bag
– a sheet
– towels or clothing
• Dispose of or decontaminate
any articles used as barriers
3-98
PPE
•Dispose
Dispose
of contaminated
PPE
of contaminated
PPE:
• Different protective equipment require different disposal
methods
• Put articles such as used gloves in a designated
disposal container
• Store contaminated clothing in clearly labeled bags until
decontaminated, laundered, or properly disposed of
3-99
Universal
Precautions
(Standard Precautions)
3-100
Universal/Standard Precautions
Handle all blood and OPIM as if they are
contaminated
3-101
Universal/Standard Precautions
Treat all materials as if they are infected with
bloodborne pathogens, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Blood
Semen and vaginal secretions
Saliva that may contain blood
Cerebrospinal fluid
Synovial fluid
Pleural fluid
3-102
Universal/Standard Precautions
All Body Fluids
OSHA now applies universal precautions to all body fluids
because it is impossible to know by looking whether
other body fluids may contain blood
3-103
Universal/Standard Precautions
All Body Fluids
• Assume that all body fluids may be infectious and always
follow universal precautions
• Body substance isolation (BSI) guidelines also define all
body fluids and substances as infectious
3-104
For Unexpected Exposure
• If blood or OPIM splashes in your eyes or other mucous
membranes, flush area with running water for 20 minutes
• Wash any exposed area well with soap, using an
antibacterial soap
3-105
For Unexpected
Exposure
• Gently treat any scabs and
sores
• Report the exposure to your
supervisor
• Save any potentially
contaminated object for
testing purposes
• Seek medical care
3-106
Employer
Responsibilities
• Identify and document source of
blood or OPIM
• Obtain consent and arrange to
test the source blood
• Inform you of the test results
3-107
Employer’s
Responsibilities
• Arrange for you to have your
blood tested
• Arrange counseling and medical
care for you as needed
3-108
Follow-up After Exposure
Treatment and
medical care depend
on the type of
exposure:
• Substance involved
• Route of transmission
• Severity of the exposure
3-109
Follow up After Exposure
• Treatment may include HBV vaccination or hepatitis B
immune globulin (HBIG)
• Confidential exposure report form kept in the employee’s
personnel file
3-110
Exposure Control Plan
• Identify the job positions
and individuals to receive
training
• Establish necessary
engineering controls and
work practice controls
• Specify PPE to be used
3-111
Exposure Control Plans
• Require using universal
precautions
• State the opportunity for
HBV vaccination
• Include other measures
appropriate for your
specific work
environment
• Review at least annually
3-112
Additional Employer Requirements
• Inform new employees about their plan
• Conduct training before performing any work that puts
you at risk for exposure
• Provide refresher training annually or whenever changes
made to policies and procedures
3-113
Airborne
Pathogens
Chapter 4
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Copyright ©2009 by the National Safety Council. All rights reserved.
OSHA Regulations
• Specific employee
protections not currently
mandated
Airborne Diseases
• OSHA expects
employers to protect
employees from known
hazards
4-115
Three Types of Airborne Pathogens
Viral
Bacterial
Fungal
4-116
Airborne
Precautions
for
tuberculosis
also lower
the risk for
other
airborne
pathogens
Pathogens
Meningitis
Influenza
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
4-117
Airborne Pathogens
• Spread by inhaling the germ
• Coughing or sneezing tiny
droplets of moisture into the air
containing pathogens
• Pathogens can remain
airborne for several hours
4-118
Airborne Transmission
Depends On:
• How contagious the
infectious person is
• Where the exposure occurs
• How long the exposure lasts
• How healthy you are at the
time of the exposure
4-119
Tuberculosis
4-120
Tuberculosis
• 14,000 cases in 2005 in U.S.
• Caused by a specific bacteria
• Affects the lungs but it can also affect:
– brain
– spine
– kidneys
• Many people with TB infection are not sick (the body
effectively fighting the bacteria) and are not contagious
4-121
Tuberculosis
Those with TB disease are contagious
•
5%-10% of people develop the disease at some point
•
Risk is higher for people with HIV, diabetes mellitus,
severe kidney disease, low body weight, or certain
types of cancer
4-122
Tuberculosis
• HIV infection is most important risk factor for progression
from latent TB infection to TB disease
• Progression to TB disease is rapid among HIV-infected
people
• TB outbreaks can rapidly expand in HIV-infected patient
groups
• CDC recommends HIV testing for all TB patients
4-123
Employees at Risk
•
•
•
•
•
•
Correctional facilities
Drug and treatment centers
Homeless shelters
Healthcare facilities
Long-term care facilities
Morgues
4-124
How Is TB spread?
• Inhaling the TB pathogen after an infected
person coughs or sneezes
• The TB pathogen can live up to 1½ hours
outside the body
• Infection detectable 2-12 weeks after infection
• Some bacteria lay dormant for years
4-125
Symptoms of TB
Many people with TB
infection have no
symptoms!
With TB disease:
•
•
•
•
Weight loss
Fever
Night sweats
Weakness
4-126
Symptoms of TB
If TB affects the lungs, the
common symptoms include:
•
•
•
•
Coughing
Production of sputum
Chest pain
Coughing up blood
4-127
Tests to Determine TB Infection
• Tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test)
-Performed on the skin in lower arm
-Result is checked after 2-3 days
• A blood test (QFT-G) also reveals if a
person is infected
4-128
Special Considerations for TB
Testing
Generally recommended for employees at risk because
of being near people who may have TB:
•• Certain
Certainhealthcare
healthcarefacilities
facilities
•• Drug
Drugtreatment
treatmentfacilities
facilties
•• Homeless
Homelessshelters
shelters
•• Nursing
Nursinghomes
homes
•• Prisons
Prison and
and jails
jails
4-129
Special Considerations for TB
Testing
• Testing recommended for at-risk employees
• Pregnant employees should be tested via TST, not
GFT-G
• Consider booster effect
• Those with other disease or illness more likely to
develop TB
• Use 2-step testing for those who will take TST
periodically
4-130
How Do I Know If I Have TB?
• Skin and blood tests
cannot distinguish
between TB infection and
TB disease
• Chest x-ray and phlegm
sample needed to
determine diagnosis
4-131
Preventing TB Infection
• Administrative controls
• Environmental controls
• Respiratory controls
4-132
Administrative Controls
Consider the most important
control measure:
• Assign responsibility for TB
infection control
• Work with health department
• Ensure timely lab processing
and reporting
• Implement effective work
practices
4-133
Administrative Controls, continued
Consider the most important
control measure:
• Test and evaluate workers at
risk
• Train workers about TB
infection control
• Ensure proper equipment
cleaning
• Use appropriate signage
4-134
Environmental Controls
These controls remove or inactive M. tuberculosis:
• Local exhaust ventilation
• General ventilation
• Air cleaning methods
- HEPA filtration
- UVGI
4-135
Respiratory Protection
Controls
Used in settings where other
controls will not prevent
inhalation of infectious
droplet nuclei
• Implement respiratory
protection program
• Conduct annual training in
respiratory protection
• Initial and periodic fit
testing
• Training patients in
respiratory hygiene
4-136
TB Exposure and Recordkeeping
• Exposure to a known TB source should be reported to
employer
• Employees have right to know about exposures
• After exposure employees may be tested for TB
• If infected, employer will arrange for appropriate
treatment
4-137
TB Exposure and Recordkeeping
• Employers must maintain records
• Active TB disease must be reported to public health
officials
• OSHA 300 log used to record work-related exposure and
infection
4-138
Treatment of TB
Depends on:
• Age
• Overall health
• Lifestyle
• Occupation
TB disease can be cured
with antibiotics
4-139
Definition of Flu
Flu is a virus that infects the
respiratory tract
4-140
How Humans Spread Flu
4-141
How Humans Spread Flu
Transmission Vehicles
►Hands
►Air
►Contaminated Objects
4-142
How Humans Spread Flu
Entry Points
Mouth
Eyes
Nose
4-143
Flu Symptoms
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cough
Running or stuffy nose
Thick mucus
Muscle pain
Stiffness
Fatigue
4-144
Flu Symptoms,
continued
•
•
•
•
•
•
Headache
Sore throat
Shaking chills
Fever
Dehydration
Difficulty breathing
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Steps to Prevent Flu
1. Hand hygiene
2. Respiratory hygiene
3. Social distancing
4. Flu shot
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Hand Hygiene
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Respiratory Hygiene
1. Cough or sneeze into a tissue, or
into upper sleeve
2. Dispose of tissues in waste can
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose
or mouth
4. Wear a surgical mask
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Social Distancing
1. Avoid crowded settings
2. If you have to be in a crowd, make
the time short
3. Avoid sick people, or keep a
distance of six feet
4. If you or your children are sick,
stay home
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Immunization
• Protects from seasonal flu
• Does not prevent bird flu
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If You Are Sick
1. Stay home!
2. Get plenty of rest
3. Drink lots of fluids
4. Avoid alcohol and tobacco
5. Take medication
6. Call your doctor if you have a
high fever
7. Wear a surgical mask
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Caring for the Sick
1. One person should give care
2. Avoid mingling items
3. Disinfect objects touched by the sick
4. Wash your hands frequently
5. It is okay to mingle dishes and laundry, but
wash them in very hot water
6. Wear disposable gloves
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Seasonal Influenza
►Occurs every year
►Everyone gets it at some point
►Most people have some
immunity and can get a
vaccine for more immunity
►Can cause severe illness
and death
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Bird Flu
►Infects wild birds and
domestic poultry
►Can have a high death
rate
►Has jumped species to
infect humans
►Concern that humans can
infect one another if virus
mutates
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Epidemic
An outbreak of a disease in a
community or a region
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Pandemic
An outbreak that spreads beyond a
community or region throughout the world
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