Dont get sick Prepared for a LEAD event 92409 by Loree Monroe, APRN

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Dont get sick!Prepared for a LEAD event 9/24/09
by Loree Monroe, APRN
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Influenza

• Influenza virus changes annually.
• Each winter in the US, more than 30,000 people
  die from Influenza.
• The elderly, those with chronic illnesses,
  pregnant women and small children at greatest
  risk for complications
• Living in residence halls also puts one a greater
  risk for catching influenza
• New vaccine available each year, as virus is
  different each year.

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Novel H1N1 Influenza

• First identified in April 2009
• Presence continues worldwide
• Seems to be affecting those under 24 years.
• If those under 24 yrs catch the illness those
  under 24 yrs. will have more complications.
• When winter flu season hits this winter, much
  more illness and death than the usual flu
  season.

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Symptoms of Influenza
Sudden Onset fever cough sore throat runny or
stuffy nose body aches headache chills fatigue
Those diagnosed with novel H1N1 flu have also
reported diarrhea nausea vomiting.
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A word about stomach flu

• An illness with abdominal pain, vomiting
  and/or diarrhea
• Not a formal medical diagnosis, but commonly
  used
• Formal term Gastroenteritis
• Usually caused by a virus
• Lasts for 1-3 days
• No relationship to Influenza
  which causes an upper respiratory
  illness

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Other respiratory illnesses

• Viral upper respiratory illness/cold
• Sinusitis
• Bronchitis
• Pharyngitis
• Strep Throat

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What to have in case you get sick

• A thermometer
• Fever reducing medicine-acetaminophen or
  ibuprofen
• Other symptom relieving medications
• Cough drops
• Throat lozenges
• Salt for warm salt water gargles
• Fluids you like water, tea, juice, soup
• Tissues
• And to prevent illness Hand Sanitizer

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Avoid catching Influenza

• Wash hands frequently
• Avoid touching mouth,
  nose eyes
• Cover cough sneeze
• Avoid close contact with sick
• people
• If you are sick, stay home
• Get flu vaccine for both seasonal and novel H1N1
  influenza (when available)
• Wash hands frequently

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• There will be two flu vaccines this fall
• seasonal winter flu
• H1N1 flu
• Both free to WWU students

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Care for those with flu

• Take medication to lower fever
• Drink fluids
• Rest
• Take medications to relieve symptoms-cough, nasal
  congestion
• Reserve anti viral medications for those with
  underlying conditions
• Avoid infecting others by staying away from
  others until fever free

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When to seek care for influenza

• If you are pregnant
• If you have an underlying chronic health
  condition
• If you have a worrisome cough, trouble breathing
• If you are unable to keep food
  down
• If you are dehydrated
• Seek care at Clinic,
• Urgent Care or E D