Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu
General Information
Vaccine Information
Sound Bites
Philip Smith, M.D.
Chief of Infectious Diseases
READ: Dr. Smith's bio
- We are prepared18
seconds
One of the key messages to people is first of all not to panic, that we have enormous
medical and public health resources that have been working on this for a long time
and we have good antiviral medications and have a medical system that has been working
to get ready for a pandemic that might occur.
- When to call a health care provider?
15 seconds
You should seek medical attention for the same indications you should seek medical
attention for with the regular flu. So, if you get shortness of breath, if you get
high fever, if you become toxic and have other symptoms then one should at least
call your physician.
- What to do if get sick?
19 seconds
The other thing you should try to do is stay away from people. So the CDC says that
you should stay in their room if they come out they should wear a mask so they don’t
infect other people in the family and they should try to have one caregiver. Make
sure it’s not a person with an underlying cancer or pregnancy that would be more
vulnerable, this should be a normal healthy person to provide care.
- Where to go for more information?
17 seconds
NOTE: The CDC (website for the CDC is www.cdc.gov. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention in Atlanta is a lead federal agency tasked with the health of the
population) “The CDC has a Web site, the state health department has a Web site,
the Center for Biopreparedness Education, www.bioprepare.org, has some information
on basic flu, they have basic training, lecture for physicians and another one for
lay people.
Mark E. Rupp, M.D.
Professor of Infectious Diseases
READ: Dr. Rupp's bio
- How Flu Spreads 22
seconds
A lot of the spread of these infections is via what we call large droplets, which
means you generate them when you cough or sneeze. Now when you cover your mouth
it’s going to prevent that. And then a lot of spread is also via contact so people
contaminate their hands with their respiratory secretions, then when they touch
other objects the leave the virus behind and people can come along and pick it up
that way.
- If you have a mild case of flu-like symptoms 13 seconds
So, if you have a mild case, the best thing to do is to self-quarantine, to stay
at home, follow the same advice your mom used to give you as far as drinking fluids,
taking a little bit of Tylenol, getting rest and let this thing run its course and
get better.
- Etiquette When Seeking Care
18 seconds
Most physicians offices, clinics, emergency departments might appreciate a call
in advance saying that you will be coming in with these types of complaints so that
they can meet you at the front door, give you a mask, try to prevent the spread
of influenza to other people who might be in the waiting area.
- Incubation period
14 seconds
The incubation period for the influenza virus is typically quite short—usually within
a couple or three days- if you’ve been exposed to it and you’re going to get sick-then
you will have gotten sick. The incubation period can be as long as a week but that
would be relatively unusual.
- Separate Care Room
15 seconds
Things that can be done in the household to try to prevent spread would be for a
person to be cared for in a specific room, preferably with a bathroom that would
be specific for that room, so that people would not be contaminating one another.
- Home care mask and disinfectants
18 seconds
Other things that can be done would be to have somebody wear a mask who is sick,
and then some low level disinfectants can be used to cleanse surfaces to try to
decrease the contamination, so just a dilute solution of household bleach would
be effective in killing the influenza virus.
- Hand Hygiene Important
9 seconds
Cleaning your hands frequently with soap and water washing or using the alcohol
gels is a great way to try to limit the spread of this virus or really any respiratory
ailment.