Did you know that healthy adults can be spread the flu one day before symptoms appear, and five days after their sick? Therefore, it’s possible to spread the flu before you even know if you are sick.
To help prevent the flu, use good hand hygiene practices, respiratory ettiquite, and social distancing.
There has been a lot of talk about the H1N1 influenza pandemic these past few months. One of the ways to stay healthy and protect yourself and others from the flu and other germs is simply to wash your hands. Easy, right? Not according to a study by The Minnesota Department of Health done at the Minnesota State Fair. They found that only 67% of adults wash their hands. Children were worse, with only 58% of them washing.
So how DO you wash your hands? What’s the “proper technique”? Follow these steps for a thorough wash:
1. Wet hands with warm water
2. Soap up
3. Scrub your hands well
4. Rinse your hands with warm water, fingers pointing down
5. Dry vigoursly with a paper towel
6. Use the paper towel to turn off the water and open the door
Click the following link to watch a short video brought to you by Families Fighting Flu.
National Influenza Vaccination Week kicked off last Monday, December 8. The week wraps up on Sunday, December 14. This week is geared towards those who have not yet been vaccinated. Remember, flu season doesnt usually peek until February and that leaves plenty of time to still get vaccinated this year. Here are some of the events planned:
* Tuesday, December 9: Childrens vaccination day
* Thursday, December 11: Seniors vaccination day
* Friday, December 12: Health care worker vaccination day
A recent study by RAND found that of all adults by mid-November 2008, only 30% have gotten a flu shot. 17% of adults still intend to get vaccinated, but a whopping 53% of U.S. adults have no intention of getting vaccinated.
Please visit the CDC’s website for more information.
While at APHA, Ms. Cori Ofstead discovered a new branch of the CDC: the National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases (NCPDCID). This branch partners with the Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases (CCID) and other top national and international agencies to perform research and and prevent infectious diseases.
There are 6 different branches in the NCPDCID, and they range from healthcare quality promotion to bioterrorism preparedness.
To learn more about the NCPDCID and their efforts, please check out their website.
After much time and energy, it’s official, the University of Minnesota crushed the old Guinness World Record of 3,271 flu shots with an astounding 11,538 flu shots given in 9 hours. More than 60 trained workers were on hand on October 28 to administer the shots. It was a great oppurtunity for the college’s pharmacy and nursing students to practice giving shots.
The 11,538 flu shot recipients included U of M staff, students, faculty and their dependents. This event has been making the local news and national news.
Congratulations to all who were involved!
The Association of Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) released a statement requiring all health care workers (HCW’s) to get vaccinated against influenza. The position statement paper can be found on APIC’s website, or by this direct link.
In accordance with the statement, the Barnes Jewish Hospital System and their 13 hospitals announced that it will require all HCW’s to get vaccinated this season, beginning on October 15, 2008. A link to the press release can be found here: http://www.bjc.org/bjc_newsroom_content.aspx?id=6092
What do you think of these new developments?
For information regarding the upcoming influenza season please visit: http://preventinfluenza.org/professionals.asp
This site includes information regarding the different types of vaccines, information on the different populations who should get vaccinated, healthcare worker vaccination and when to get the shot or mist.