Once again, seasonal influenza (flu) activity is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many state public health departments offer guidance for the public on many aspects of dealing with seasonal flu. This web site provides additional information that supplements CDC guidance regarding seasonal flu.
Influenza is a highly infectious respiratory infectious disease caused by various influenza viruses. People often confuse influenza with the common cold and the so-called “stomach flu”. The common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. The common cold typically affects the upper respiratory tract and generally produces mild symptoms and doesn’t typically cause complications.
Influenza is typically uncomplicated in people who are otherwise in good health. However, the CDC estimates that every year 5-20% of the
The “stomach flu” really isn’t the flu at all – it is gastrointestinal disease that produces 1-2 days of nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. The “stomach flu” is caused by Norwalk-like viruses (Noroviruses) and other enteric viruses. These viruses are often transmitted by the “fecal-oral” route, often by food contaminated by an infectious food handler, and also by indirect contact via fomites such as contaminated utensils, plates, cups, menus and other commonly touched items.
Influenza produces symptoms that overlap with other “influenza-like illnesses.” Only a doctor or other licensed health care practitioner can diagnose and treat influenza. He or she may use one or more clinical tests to help confirm an infection is indeed influenza, to ensure that appropriate treatment is provided.
Risk Reduction
The following are ways to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading seasonal influenza.
1. Get an annual seasonal flu shot, especially if you are in a high-risk group (see CDC Key Facts About Seasonal Vaccine)
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
2. Learn the signs and symptoms of influenza vs. the common cold (see CDC Influenza Symptoms)
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm
3. Seek treatment as soon as possible after becoming symptomatic, in case you are a candidate for influenza antiviral drugs. These drugs can reduce the severity of the flu and the number of days you are sick (see CDC Key Facts About Antiviral Drugs and Influenza (Flu)
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/antiviral/keyfacts.htm
and CDC Questions & Answers: Antiviral Drugs for Seasonal Flu
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/antiviral.htm
If you are sick with the flu, here are some things you can do to prevent spreading the flu to others:
1. Cover your cough with a tissue, or sneeze into your upper sleeve.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water after coughing or sneezing into them. Use an alcohol-based hand gel if soap and water aren’t available.
3. Stay home until the acute phase has passed.
4. Consider wearing a facemask when it is necessary to go out in public. Many doctor’s offices provide masks, tissues and alcohol hand-gel in the waiting room area.
Here are some additional suggestions for reducing risk during cold and flu season. They represent the author’s conservative interpretation of CDC guidelines on seasonal influenza for the general public. In some cases, they also draw on CDC recommendations for health care settings. However, the interpretations are the authors, and are not endorsed by the CDC. No guidelines can eliminate all risk of contracting or spreading seasonal influenza. Finally, learning and practicing these techniques during seasonal flu activity now will be very useful preparation for a future influenza pandemic.
1. Because it isn’t possible to wash your hands constantly, assume that commonly touched objects and environmental surfaces are contaminated with potentially infectious material.
2. Always wash your hands properly before eating, drinking, applying cosmetics, or any other activity where your potentially contaminated hands or fingers may touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
3. Discipline yourself in-between hand washings not to touch your mouth, nose or eyes inadvertently.
4. You may want to consider wearing disposable gloves in public settings during peak seasonal influenza activity in the community (e.g., buses, commuter trains, subways, public buildings). However, you should still wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel after removing and discarding the gloves. Absorbent gloves (e.g., cotton) should be avoided.
5. Fomites and environmental surfaces are a big issue at work. Fomites are generally small, portable items whereas environmental surfaces are less mobile (e.g., top of file cabinet) or fixed (e.g., hand rails, counter tops). Common examples of office fomites include telephones, computer keyboards and mice, cell phones, PDAs, and pens. Other fomites include restaurant menus and money, especially coins. Practically anything that is touched frequently and is small and portable can be a fomite!
The information in this website will be updated periodically. Please refer others who are interested in seasonal influenza prevention to this website. Thank you.
The author is an experienced health & safety trainer, and is available for speaking engagements in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts and
For more information, write to: info@podflu.com
Disclaimer
The information in this website is of an introductory nature, and is intended to increase awareness of this important topic. The author has used reasonable diligence in compiling this information from authoritative sources. However, the author makes no warranty, express or implied, as to the suitability of this information for any specific person or situation. Moreover, because the author cannot control how you choose to use or not use this information, he expressly disclaims any legal liability arising from the detrimental reliance thereon. This web site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. Only a licensed health care professional can do that. If you have specific health questions, please seek the guidance of your family doctor or local, state or federal public health officials.
Please feel free to submit questions or constructive comments about this website. The author regrets that he may not be able to reply to each question or comment individually. Instead, he will respond to topics of general interest via this website. However, he will not identify the source and location of the question or comment without your express written consent to do so.
