Influenza 8,068. Angela Porter, M.D. Internal Medicine Greenfield Rd. Ste. 406

Transcription

1 Influenza 8,068 Angela Porter, M.D. Internal Medicine Greenfield Rd. Ste. 406

2 What is Influenza? The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year. Each year in the United States, on average: 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu related complications About 36,000 people die from flu-related causes

3 Symptoms of Flu Fever (usually high) Respiratory symptoms, such as Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Headache Muscle aches Extreme fatigue Stomach symptoms, such as Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea

4 Complications Bacterial pneumonia Ear infections Sinus infections Dehydration Worsening of chronic medical conditions (asthma, congestive heart failure, diabetes)

5 How do you become infected? The flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. This means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

6 What is the difference between a The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. The flu is worse than the common cold. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Because the cold and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone; therefore, special tests need to be done within the first few days of the illness. cold and the flu?

7 Preventing Seasonal Flu: Get The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The seasonal flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine). LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses. Vaccinated

8 When do I get vaccinated? Yearly seasonal flu vaccination should begin in September and continues throughout the flu season into January.

9 Who should get vaccinated? Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday Pregnant women People 50 years of age and older People of any age with certain medical conditions People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu, including: Health care workers Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age

10 Influenza at a Glance Influenza, commonly called the flu, is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Influenza viruses are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C. Most people who get the flu recover completely in one to two weeks, but some people develop serious and potentially lifethreatening medical complications, such as pneumonia. Much of the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by annual influenza vaccination. Influenza A undergoes frequent antigenic changes that require new vaccines to be developed and people to obtain a new vaccination every year. Like the influenza virus, drug treatments are constantly changing and improving, but currently, timely vaccination is still considered to be the best defense against the flu.

11 What is H 1 N 1 Flu? Sinai-Grace Hospital People s Medical College Kathleen Dobbs, PA-C October 24, 2009

12 True or False? Swine Flu is the same as H1N1

13 H1N1 Virus

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15 What is H 1 N 1? It is a Flu Highly contagious virus Causing Infections Worldwide (Pandemic) Affects children, young adults, people with other health problems, & the elderly. Best Treatment: DON T GET IT Vaccine is available

16 How dangerous is H1N1?

17 The numbers For every 1000 people infected with H1N1 40 hospitalized 1 dies Crikey - Take a deep breath, Swine Flu s not that bad Retrieved

18 Flu activity in U.S. first week October

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21 H1N1 Virus Electron Microscope image of the H1N1 influenza virus photographed at the CDC Influenza Laboratory.

22 Good News: There is a vaccine

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24 Who should get Vaccinated

25 Earliest cases are in School Children More School-aged Children Infected Community at Large Initial Case Immunologically Naïve Schoolchild Family Members of Schoolchildren High-Risk populations Elderly Contacts of 1, 2, 3 cases Elveback LR et al. Am J Epidemiol. 1976;103:

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27 H1N1 Symptoms Look just like Seasonal Flu Symptoms may include: Fever Headache Aching muscles & physical discomfort Sore throat Runny nose Viral Infection Easily spread Lasts about a week Can cause pneumonia &/or death Best treatment: DON T GET IT get vaccinated

28 When to Seek Emergency Medical Care difficulty breathing or chest pain purple or blue discoloration of the lips vomiting & unable to keep liquids down signs of dehydration such as: dizziness when standing absence of urination in infants: a lack of tears when they cry having seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) less responsive than normal or becomes confused CDC.gov/H1N1flu/sick.htm

29 Remember There is a way to stop Flu Flu is the most frequent cause of VACCINE-Preventable death in the U.S. 36,000 deaths per year 600 deaths are from H1N1 so far & we are just getting into flu season in North America 200,000 hospitalizations per year

30 Now is the Time Prepare for Seasonal Influenza Prepare for H 1 N 1 Influenza

31 Quiz Time True or False? Seasonal Flu and H1N1 are the same thing. Senior citizens should get the H1N1 vaccine first. H1N1 is easily spread from one human to another by respiratory droplets. If you already had the flu this year, you don t need the H1N1 Vaccine.

32 Thank you for being here and caring about your health It does matter! Any Questions? Kathleen Dobbs, PA-C Sinai Grace Hospital