Influenza Take Action to Prevent the Flu! Allison Ormond, RN Pamlico County Primary School

About: The Flu A respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses Affects the nose, throat, and occasionally the lungs Most common in the fall and the winter Between the months of December - February

Prevention Stay home if you are sick! The best prevention is to get a flu shot each and every year! Spread through contact with droplets Wash your hands frequently, with soap and water If you cough or sneeze, do it in your sleeve Do not share food or drinks Disinfect frequently used surfaces Stay home if you are sick!

Symptoms Fever Chills Sore throat Runny and/or stuffy nose It is important to note that some individuals may not have a fever Chills Sore throat Runny and/or stuffy nose Muscle and body aches Headache Fatigue The flu can lead to hospitalization and even death!

Transmission The flu is VERY contagious! Spread through droplets by: Breathing infected droplets into your lungs Touching your eyes, nose, and/or mouth, after touching infected surfaces/objects Can be spread up to 6 feet away!!! When are individuals contagious? One day before the onset of symptoms Up to 5-7 days after the onset of symptoms

Diagnosis Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) Results in 10-15 minutes Rapid molecular assays Results in 15-20 minutes More accurate than RIDTs Rapid influenza tests are not 100% accurate They can cause false-negative results Some doctors may treat individuals for the flu solely based on their symptoms

Treatment Antiviral medications Decreases symptoms Shorten the length of the sickness Prevent additional complications such as: Pneumonia Respiratory tract infections Organ failure Sepsis Death

References CDC. (2018, January 19). Influenza (Flu). Retrieved January 19, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm