Transcript influenza (flu)

INFLUENZA (FLU)
I. Overview:
• Affects 5% - 10% of the population yearly.
• Directly attributable to an average of
36,000 deaths each year in the U.S.
• Over 90% of flu-related deaths occur in
people > 65 years of age.
• The rest occur mostly in children < 2 years
old and in people with high-risk medical
conditions (diabetes, cancer, etc.)
INFLUENZA (FLU)
II. Modes of transmission:
•
•
Inhalation of the virus while it is in the air.
Contact with the virus from the droplets
(from coughing, sneezing, touching by
the contaminated hands) on the
surfaces:
–
–
–
–
Keyboards
Phones
Door knobs
Others
INFLUENZA (FLU)
III. INFECTIOUS PERIODS: How long can an
infected person shed the virus (and be contagious)?
• Adults: from ONE day before the symptoms occur
until FIVE days after the onset.
• Children: can remain infectious for up to 10 days
after symptoms appear.
• People with weakened immune system:
Can shed the virus for weeks or even months.
INFLUENZA (FLU)
IV. SYMPTOMS: Is it a Cold or a Flu?
SYMPTOMS
COLD
Fever
Rare
Chills
Rare
Headache
Rare
Body aches
Slight
Fatigue/weakness Sometimes
Stuffy nose
Common
Sneezing
Common
Sore throat
Common
FLU
Usual (100F - >102F)
Common
Common
Usual: often severe
Usual
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
INFLUENZA (FLU)
V. PROGNOSIS: What happens next to the flu
victims?
• Flu is a self-limited disease in most people.
• Uncomplicated cases resolve in 3 – 7 days.
• Cough and fatigue may last for up to 2 wks.
• Complications (please see the next slide) may
develop in certain groups of flu victims.
INFLUENZA (FLU)
VI. COMPLICATIONS
• 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.)
INFLUENZA (FLU)
VI. COMPLICATIONS – continued
• Pneumonia – the most common complication.
• Middle ear infections.
• Acute sinusitis.
• Bronchitis.
• Death.
INFLUENZA (FLU)
VII. TREATMENT
A. General measures:
• Increase fluid intake.
• Activities: as tolerated.
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.
INFLUENZA (FLU)
VII. TREATMENT – Cont.’d
C. Antiviral medications:
• Must be taken within the first 24-30 hours of
symptom onset to be effective.
• Shorten the flu symptoms by 1 day.
• May reduce the complications of flu.
• Types of antiviral medications recommended for
the 2008 -2009 flu season:
1. Oseltamivir
2. Zanamivir
INFLUENZA (FLU)
VIII. PREVENTION
A. GENERAL MEASURES:
•
Maintain good health:
-
Good, nutritious foods
Plenty of sleep
Minimize stress level
Exercise regularly
Avoid smoking
Avoid or minimize alcoholic drinks
INFLUENZA (FLU)
VIII. PREVENTION – 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.
INFLUENZA (FLU)
VIII. PREVENTION – Cont.’d
B. VACCINATION:
• 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.
INFLUENZA (FLU)
The Final Thoughts….
• The flu is:
– Much better prevented than treated.
– Both widespread and expensive for patients and the health care system.
• 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, dealing with fever,
chills, cough, bad headaches & body aches for 3 – 7 days is not a fun and
easy task, and is so unnecessary, especially when the flu shot is readily
available and generally safe!
• It’s NOT TOO LATE YET to get the flu shot. So, please drop by the
Wellness Center if you haven’t got it yet. No appointment necessary!
Thank you,
Sokan