THE FLU ENDS WITH U

What is the FluAnother name for influenzaContagious respiratory illnessAttacks people of all agesIllness is mild to severeComplications can lead to deathIn the USA 5% to 20% of people get the flu every

yearAbout 200,000 are hospitalized a yearAbout 36,000 die from the flu a year

Complications of Flu

Bacterial pneumonia Ear infections Sinus infections DehydrationWorsening of chronic

medical conditions asthma, diabetes or congestive heart failure

Signs and SymptomsFeverCoughSore throatHeadacheChillsMuscle achesFatigueVomiting /diarrheaOccurs more in children than

adults

How Long Can the Flu LastSymptoms such as a

fever, chills, sore throat, headache, runny nose, loss of appetite can last 3 to 7 days.

Cough and fatigue can last up to 2 weeks.

Contagious- 1 day before & up to 5-7 days after symptoms appear

Cold vs. Flu Cold

Milder than fluStuffy noseRunny noseHeadacheSore throatCough

Flu worse than a cold

Fever /nasal congestionMuscle or body achesExtreme tiredness cough/sore throatHeadacheVomiting/diarrheaMore common in children

How Does Flu Spread Through droplets

when you cough, sneeze or talk

By touching objects contaminated with the flu virus then touching your eyes, nose or mouth

poor hand hygiene

Why Receive the Vaccine

Adults need it to protect the children.

Children need it to protect the elderly.

We all need it to protect each other!

You Can Catch & Spread Flu In School

Water fountainsSharing drinksKissingClose contact with

othersSharing cigarettesLocker rooms

You Can Take Home the Flu

If you catch the Flu in school, you can take it home to your family.

You Can Spread it to Your Loved OnesParentsBrothers & sistersGrandparentsNewborn babyRelativesFriendsEven with a simple hug or kiss

You Can Spread Flu to OthersInfected family

members can spread the flu everywhere they go

Let the Flu Stop With YOU

Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol based hand sanitizer

Avoid close contact with sick people

Stay home when you are sick

Let The Flu Stop With You

Cough into your sleeve Use tissues when sneezing. Throw used tissues in the trash.

Who Should Get VaccinatedEveryone 6 months and older

Who Should Not Get VaccinatedAllergy to chicken eggsSevere reaction to previous flu vaccineDeveloped Guillian-Barre syndrome 6 weeks

after flu vaccineYounger than 6 monthsModerately or severely ill with fever.....wait

until your symptoms lessen

When Should I Get The Flu VaccineEvery year

Flu season can run from October to May.

Usually peaks in January

As soon as it is available

Never too lateVaccinate throughout the

season

Two Ways to Vaccinate!Injection Nasal Spray

Injection The “flu shot” is an

inactivated vaccine, which means it contains a killed virus.

It is given with a needle.

Injection site is in the upper arm.

Nasal Spray

A vaccine administered through the nose.

Licensed for ages 2-49Cannot receive if

pregnant.It is a live virus vaccine

called “FluMist.”

Risk Factors Associated With Both VaccinesAllergic reactions are rare, and usually

occur within minutes to hours.

These include difficulty breathing, hoarseness, hives, paleness, weakness, rapid heart beat or dizziness.

Seek medical attention immediately

This Video Tells How Seasonal Flu that includes H1N1 Can Impact Your Life double click in center of black screen below

Where To Get The Flu VaccineAllegheny County Health DepartmentHealth Care ProviderHealth ClinicsHealth FairsLocal PharmaciesUrgent Care CentersSchool Vaccination Clinics

Interested in Learning More?Go to www.cdc.gov/flu call 1-800-CDC-INFOTalk with your health care providerTalk to your school nurseContact your local health department

“Community Immunity” Art Poster Contest

Sponsored by the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition

(ACIC)

IncentivesCash prizes

Scholarship opportunities

Resume builder

Opportunity to display your art in a gallery

Publicity

Entry RequirementsSee your school nurse for complete details

Deadline for submission November 11, 2010

Works Cited www.cdc.gov/flu

http://www.cdc.gov/cdctv/inever/. Video web address for: “I never get the flu”. February 2010.

Cold and the Flu-What to ask your Doctor-Adults. MedlinePlus Encyclopedia. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/00249.htm

Is the Flu Vaccine a Good Idea for Your Family?. Kids Health. Nemours. http://kidshealth.org/

For Consumers: Flu. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. August 20th, 2010. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/ucm118571.htm.

Influenza Vaccine. MedlinePlus Encyclopedia. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002025.htm

Key Facts and Information About Influenza(Flu) and the Flu vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 20, 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.

Created by Students of UPMC Mercy Hospital School of Nursing

Elizabeth BlasiBethany ConwayNicole JordanSteve KlaykoKimberly MedinaSarah ReedAnn ShaughnessyJen VlahosJaime Zurawsky

InstructorMrs. Patricia Robinson, RN, MN1400 Locust StreetPittsburgh, PA 15219

with contributions from the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition