SWINE FLU What you need to know to help protect yourself and your students from this potentially fatal H1N1 virus. Intended For the Pasadena Independent School District Administration, Faculty, and Staff Eric Brown, Ph.D. student Walden University PH Environmental Health Instructor: Dr. Joanne Flowers Fall Quarter, 2009

Learning Objectives What is the Swine Flu Facts & Myths of H1N1 How It Spreads The Symptoms Who’s At Risk Prevention Methods Action Methods

Swine Flu Basics New Flu Virus Not Related to Seasonal Flu Viruses Originated from Swine (Hence Swine Flu) Can Affect Anybody at Any Age Vaccination is Most Effective Preventative Spreads The Same As Normal Seasonal Flu Causes Death Due To Little Or No Immunity

Facts And Myths About Swine Flu Myth – The new vaccine is unsafe and untested Myth – It cost to much to get Vaccinated Myth – You can get infected by eating pork Fact – Clinical trials have been conducted and it is approved by the FDA Fact – There are many community clinics providing the vaccine at NO CHARGE! Fact – Consuming properly handled and cooked pork has no risk of causing infection

How It Spreads Like Seasonal Flu Person-to-Person Coughing Sneezing Infected Hands Infected Surfaces

Signs And Symptoms Fever Cough Sore Throat Runny or Stuffy Nose Sneezing Body Aches Headache Chills Fatigue Vomiting Diarrhea

Emergency Warning Signs Fast Breathing Trouble Breathing Bluish Skin Not Drinking Not Waking Up Very Irritable Fever With Rash Symptoms Improve,Then Come Back And Get Worse Have Students Or Yourself Seek Immediate Medical Attention With Any Of The Above Symptoms

Who’s At Risk Everyone Including Healthy People Largest Number of Cases Were People Between 5 and 24 years of age Most susceptible are children under 5, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions, and people over 65

How Can You Prevent It? Get Vaccinated Educate and encourage students to cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing Remind Students to practice good hygiene Clean classrooms and hand use items with disinfectants

What To Do When “It” Strikes Have Personal Protective Equipment such as masks available Extend the time sick people stay home by 24 hours after symptoms are gone Allow “high-risk” people to stay home Conduct symptom screening Stay in touch with local Health Department

RECAP – Main Points Spreads The Same As Normal Seasonal Flu Can Affect Anybody at Any Age Vaccination is Most Effective Preventative Educate Students About Proper Hygiene Allow Staff and Students to Stay Home for an Extra 24 Hours Watch for Emergency Signs and Symptoms Stay In Touch With Local Health Department

Any Questions?

Further Reading CDC Websites htm htm ps.htm ps.htm ground.htm ground.htm ols/toolkit/teacherfactsheet.htm ols/toolkit/teacherfactsheet.htm ols/toolkit/pdf/schoolflutoolkit.pdf ols/toolkit/pdf/schoolflutoolkit.pdf wineflu/frequently_asked_questio ns/about_disease/en/index.html wineflu/frequently_asked_questio ns/about_disease/en/index.html wineflu/en/ wineflu/en/ ow_To_HandWash_Poster.pdfhttp: // lu/frequently_asked_questions/w hat/en/index.html ow_To_HandWash_Poster.pdfhttp: // lu/frequently_asked_questions/w hat/en/index.html World Health Organization Websites

References CDC. (2009, September 24) H1N1 Flu ("Swine Flu”) and You. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from H1N1 Flu: CDC. (2009, August 9). Action Steps for Schools to Prevent the Spread of Flu. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from H1N1 Flu: eps.htm eps.htm CDC. (2009, July 31). Novel H1N1 Flu: Background on the Situation. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from H1N1 Flu: CDC. (n.d.). Preparing for the Flu (Including 2009 H1N1 Flu). (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from School Flu Toolkit: oolflutoolkit.pdf oolflutoolkit.pdf CDC. (2009, August 7). Teacher Fact Sheet - Action Steps for Teachers to Prevent the Spread of Flu. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from H1N1 Flu: factsheet.htm factsheet.htm CDC. (2009, August 5). What To Do If You Get Sick: 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from H1N1 Flu: HHS. (2009, October 21). CDC Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials and School Administrators for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza during the School Year. (Department of Health and Human Services) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from Flu.Gov: HHS. (2009). Flu Myths and Realities. (Department of Health and Human Services) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from Flu.Gov: WHO. (2009, April). Influenza (Seasonal). (World Health Organization) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from Fact Sheets: WHO. (2009, June 11). What is the New Influenza A (H1N1)? (World Health Organization) Retrieved October 24, 2009, from Global Alert and Response (GAR): frequently_asked_questions/about_disease/en/index.html frequently_asked_questions/about_disease/en/index.html