Planning for Flu Season

1
Planning for Flu Season

• September , 2009

2
Flu Season is upon us!

• It is likely that we will experience an outbreak
  of the flu this season. Not only the normal
  seasonal flu, but also the H1N1 (swine) flu.
• This could cause a significant number of
  employees to be out of the office due to their
  own illness or sick family members.

3
What is H1N1?

• Flu-like symptoms
• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea

• Spreads through
• Coughs and sneezes
• Touching contaminated surfaces (elevator
  buttons, doorknobs, keyboards) and then eyes,nose
  or mouth

4
Who is at Risk for Complications?

• Pregnant women
• Those with chronic health disorders or
  compromised immune systems
• Asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, kidney
  disease
• Morbid obesity
• Medications that cause suppression of the
  immune system (e.g., chemotherapy,
  post-transplant)
• Children lt5 years, Adults gt65 years

5
Preventing the Spread Employees

• Ask yourself daily before coming to work
• Do I have a fever?
• Do I have a sore throat?
• Am I coughing?
• Do my muscles ache?
• Do I feel ill?
• If you answered yes to any of the questions
  above
• Do not report to work stay at home
• Notify your supervisor as soon as possible
• Seek medical guidance

6
Preventing the Spread Employees

• 1. Cough/Sneeze Etiquette
• Cover mouth and nose with tissue trash
• If tissues not available, use elbow/shoulder,
  not hands
• 2. Hand Washing
• Soap and water for 20 seconds (hum Happy
  Birthday)
• If not available, hand sanitizer
• Before and after preparing food or eating
• After using the restroom, After shaking hands
• Before and after touching nose, eyes, or Mouth
• Available from http//www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/antivi
  ral.htm

7
Preventing the Spread Employees

• Facemasks and respirators generally not
  recommended for non-healthcare workers
• Unless increased risk of severe illness
• May choose to wear on voluntary basis
• If work activities include contact, workers
  should
• Maintain distance of 6 feet or more
• Keep interactions as brief as possible
• Ask ill person to follow good cough etiquette,
  hand hygiene and to wear facemask
• CDC Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator
  use http//www.cdc/gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm

8
Preventing the Spread at Work

• YOUR COMPANY NAME HERES will Provide
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers Kleenex in common
  workplace areas
• Disinfectants, disposable gloves towels for
  cleaning work surfaces
• Alcohol pads for cleaning keyboard, mouse, etc.
  in common workplace areas
• Paper cups in break areas
• Masks upon request
• Flu vaccines on-site as available
• Display posters about hand washing and cough
  etiquette

9
Preventing the Spread

• Implement Social distancing in the workplace if
  we have cases of the flu
• No handshakes and no crowded elevators
• Reduce/eliminate meetings in conference rooms
• Email and phones for conversations
• Restrict employee business travel

10
H1N1 Vaccine

• Currently in development by five manufacturers
• Estimated shipping to start early-October
• Purchased by the U.S. government will be
  available to vaccinators at no cost, assumption
  that health plans will provide reimbursement for
  administration
• May require two doses of vaccine about 3 weeks
  apart
• Available from http//www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccina
  tion/provider/preparing.htm

11
Who Should Get the Vaccine (First)?

• Pregnant women
• Live with or care for children younger than 6
  months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services
  personnel
• Anyone 6 months to 24 years of age
• Anyone 25 to 64 years of age with chronic health
  disorders or compromised immune systems
• Available from http//www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vacci
  nation/provider/preparing.htm

12
When to Return to Work?

• After fever (100 F) or signs of a fever is gone
  for at least 24 hours
• Without the use of fever-reducing medications
• Available from http//www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidan
  ce/exclusion.htm

13
Need from you..

• Inform HR if you have employees out with flu
  symptoms.
• Be respectful of the employee and do not share
  personal health information with other employees.