It’s Not Too Late It’s Not Too Late To Vaccinate!To Vaccinate!

OverviewOverview

What is the flu?What is the flu? Signs and symptoms of the flu.Signs and symptoms of the flu. How the flu spreads. How the flu spreads. How to prevent the flu.How to prevent the flu. Risks of vaccination.Risks of vaccination. Risks of not getting vaccinated.Risks of not getting vaccinated.

What is the Flu?What is the Flu?

Defined as highly contagious, acute viral Defined as highly contagious, acute viral respiratory infection that can occur in people respiratory infection that can occur in people in all age groups.in all age groups.

A virus is different from bacteria: it cannot be A virus is different from bacteria: it cannot be treated with antibiotics.treated with antibiotics.

The flu just has to run its course.The flu just has to run its course.

What is the Flu??What is the Flu??

Also known as influenza.Also known as influenza. It can be a mild to severe It can be a mild to severe

illness and can lead to death.illness and can lead to death. In the USA 5% to 20% of In the USA 5% to 20% of

people get the flu every people get the flu every year.year.

About 200,000 are About 200,000 are hospitalized a year.hospitalized a year.

About 36,000 die from the About 36,000 die from the flu a year. flu a year.

Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptoms

FeverFever CoughCough Sore throatSore throat HeadacheHeadache ChillsChills Muscle achesMuscle aches FatigueFatigue

How Long Can the Flu Last??How Long Can the Flu Last??

Symptoms such as a Symptoms such as a fever, sore throat, fever, sore throat, headache, runny nose, headache, runny nose, loss of appetite can last loss of appetite can last 3 to 7 days.3 to 7 days.

Cough and fatigue can Cough and fatigue can last up to 2 weeks.last up to 2 weeks.

Cold vs. FluCold vs. Flu

ColdCold Milder than fluMilder than flu Stuffy noseStuffy nose Runny noseRunny nose HeadacheHeadache Sore throatSore throat CoughCough

FluFlu Worse than the common Worse than the common

coldcold Fever Fever Body achesBody aches Extreme tirednessExtreme tiredness Dry coughDry cough HeadacheHeadache Death Death

How Does it Spread?How Does it Spread?

CoughingCoughing

SneezingSneezing

KissingKissing

Household objects Household objects

Poor hand hygienePoor hand hygiene

Spreading the Flu In SchoolSpreading the Flu In School

Water fountainsWater fountains Sharing drinksSharing drinks KissingKissing Close contact with Close contact with

othersothers Sharing cigarettesSharing cigarettes Locker roomsLocker rooms

Bringing Home the FluBringing Home the Flu

If you catch the flu in If you catch the flu in school, you can bring it school, you can bring it home to your family.home to your family.

Your family can spread Your family can spread to others: coworkers, to others: coworkers, other families, people at other families, people at the grocery store, etc.the grocery store, etc.

Flu PreventionFlu Prevention

Cover mouth when Cover mouth when coughing.coughing.

Cough into your sleeveCough into your sleeve Wash hands frequently. Wash hands frequently. Use tissues when sneezing. Use tissues when sneezing. Throw used tissues in the Throw used tissues in the

trash.trash. Avoid large crowds during Avoid large crowds during

fall and winter months.fall and winter months. Stay home when you are Stay home when you are

sicksick

But the best way to prevent the flu But the best way to prevent the flu is……. is…….

THE FLU THE FLU VACCINE!!VACCINE!!

When Should I Get The Flu When Should I Get The Flu Vaccine?Vaccine?

Flu season runs from Flu season runs from November to May.November to May.

As soon as it is As soon as it is available, usually in the available, usually in the fall, you can go at any fall, you can go at any time to receive it.time to receive it.

Getting vaccinated in Getting vaccinated in December is still December is still beneficial.beneficial.

How Often Should You Get the Flu How Often Should You Get the Flu Vaccine?Vaccine?

Only need vaccinated once a year.Only need vaccinated once a year. It is most beneficial at the beginning of the flu It is most beneficial at the beginning of the flu

season.season. Vaccination should be repeated every year due Vaccination should be repeated every year due

to changes of the flu virus. to changes of the flu virus.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?Who Should Get Vaccinated?

New RecommendationNew Recommendation

Everyone 6 months and olderEveryone 6 months and older

Date of implementationDate of implementation

2010/2011 flu season2010/2011 flu season

February 24, 2010 CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices February 24, 2010 CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S.(ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S.

Two Ways to Vaccinate!Two Ways to Vaccinate!

InjectionInjection Nasal SprayNasal Spray

Injection Injection

The “flu shot” is an The “flu shot” is an inactivated vaccine, inactivated vaccine, which means it contains which means it contains a killed virus.a killed virus.

It is given with a needle.It is given with a needle.

Injection site is in the Injection site is in the upper arm.upper arm.

Discomforts Associated with Discomforts Associated with InjectionInjection

Mild problems include:Mild problems include: Redness and soreness at injection site.Redness and soreness at injection site. Slight fever and cough.Slight fever and cough. Usually lasts 1-2 daysUsually lasts 1-2 days Take Tylenol for discomfort.Take Tylenol for discomfort.

Nasal SprayNasal Spray

A vaccine administered A vaccine administered through the nose.through the nose.

Ages 2 - 49Ages 2 - 49 Cannot receive if Cannot receive if

pregnant.pregnant. It is a live virus vaccine It is a live virus vaccine

called “called “FluMistFluMist.”.”

Risk Factors Associated With Risk Factors Associated With Both VaccinesBoth Vaccines

Allergic reactions are rare, and usually occur within Allergic reactions are rare, and usually occur within minutes to hours.minutes to hours.

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

Seek medical attention immediately Seek medical attention immediately

Please report any known allergies especially eggs to Please report any known allergies especially eggs to your health care provider prior to getting vaccinated your health care provider prior to getting vaccinated with flu vaccine.with flu vaccine.

Risks if NOT VaccinatedRisks if NOT Vaccinated

The flu can develop into The flu can develop into life threatening illnesses life threatening illnesses such as pneumonia.such as pneumonia.

Death can occur in Death can occur in some cases.some cases.

Where To Get The Flu VaccineWhere To Get The Flu Vaccine

Allegheny County Health DepartmentAllegheny County Health Department Health Care ProviderHealth Care Provider Health ClinicsHealth Clinics Health FairsHealth Fairs Local PharmaciesLocal Pharmacies Urgent Care CentersUrgent Care Centers School Vaccination ClinicsSchool Vaccination Clinics Some supermarkets & department storesSome supermarkets & department stores

How Can I Learn More?How Can I Learn More?

Contact the Centers for Disease Control @ Contact the Centers for Disease Control @ www.cdc.gov/flu or 1-800-CDC-INFO or 1-800-CDC-INFO

Contact the Allegheny County health Contact the Allegheny County health Department @ Department @ www.achd.net or 412-687- or 412-687-ACHDACHD

Your health care provider can also answer any Your health care provider can also answer any questions you have.questions you have.

Talk to your school nurse.Talk to your school nurse.

Don’t let the flu get you down.Don’t let the flu get you down.Get Vaccinated.Get Vaccinated.

Stay Healthy.Stay Healthy.Have fun!!Have fun!!

ConclusionConclusion

The flu is a highly infectious, contagious viral The flu is a highly infectious, contagious viral disease.disease.

The benefits of getting the flu vaccine are The benefits of getting the flu vaccine are preventing serious illness, missing school and preventing serious illness, missing school and activities, hospitalization and possibly death.activities, hospitalization and possibly death.

Works CitedWorks Cited www.cdc.gov/flu

Ignatavicius, D., Ignatavicius, D., Medical Surgical Nursing Patient Centered Collaborative Medical Surgical Nursing Patient Centered Collaborative Care. Care. Saunders: St. Louis. 2010. pgs. 658-659.Saunders: St. Louis. 2010. pgs. 658-659.

Donnelly, G (2004).Nosing into flu season. Donnelly, G (2004).Nosing into flu season. Nursing2004Nursing2004, 49-50., 49-50.

Ransom, J. (2009).School-lcated influenza vaccination clinics: Local heath Ransom, J. (2009).School-lcated influenza vaccination clinics: Local heath department perspectives. department perspectives. Journal of School NursingJournal of School Nursing, , 25(1)25(1), 13-17., 13-17.

Whelon, J. & Corry, M. (2006). On guard against influenza. Whelon, J. & Corry, M. (2006). On guard against influenza. WINWIN, , 14(9)14(9), , 29-31.29-31.

Created by Students of Created by Students of UPMC Mercy Hospital School of NursingUPMC Mercy Hospital School of Nursing

Laura CaimiLaura CaimiCandice DicksonCandice DicksonNicole FlorentineNicole Florentine

Jennifer LeeJennifer LeeLisa LevinLisa Levin

Eric MedinaEric MedinaMelony MurrayMelony Murray

InstructorInstructorMrs. Patricia Robinson, RN, MNMrs. Patricia Robinson, RN, MN

1400 Locust Street1400 Locust StreetPittsburgh, PA 15219Pittsburgh, PA 15219

with contributions from the Allegheny County Immunization Coalitionwith contributions from the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition