Key facts about seasonal influenza Published Sept. 1, 2009 By Col. John Sell 21st Medical Group commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The flu season is starting and will last through late winter. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, and can cause mild to severe symptoms. More than one kind of virus will be spreading this season - the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus. It is vital that we all take the necessary steps to limit the negative impact of an influenza outbreak in our population by making sure we are well informed on the preventive measures and have a plan of how to proceed through this season. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Influenza is characterized by a fever of 100.5˚F or greater and a cough or sore throat. Additional symptoms that may be present include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. The current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not to test or treat every person that is suspected of having the flu. Personnel that are considered higher risk due to pre-existing medical conditions or family members that have chronic medical conditions may be considered for treatment. Patients admitted to a hospital may be considered for testing. There are many actions you can take to help minimize the spread of flu. Among these are: · Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise and relaxation. · Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol based hand cleaner. · Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes -- germs spread this way. · Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow. · Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc. · Do not use other workers' phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. If you need to use a co-workers equipment, clean it first. · If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home. CDC recommends that sick workers stay home if they have a fever of 100.5˚F or greater and a cough or sore throat. Minimize contact with people until you have been free of fever for at least 24 hours without taking a medication to reduce the fever. · If you need to see your medical professional, please call first. We need to minimize the spread of illness through using available appointments and using a mask when entering the clinic. · Get vaccinated against seasonal flu. The vaccine is now available for seasonal flu, and a vaccine against the H1N1 flu is expected later this year. Every year in the United States, on average: · 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu · 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and · 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications. Remember: The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. Therefore as soon as the vaccine is available, everyone should get vaccinated. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons varies. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. The 21st Medical Group will hold a flu line for the active duty population on Sept. 3, with additional flu lines at Buildings 1, 2 and 3. Additional flu lines for military beneficiaries will be held once we are resupplied with vaccine. The 21st Space Wing has a Disease Containment Plan that outlines our response to a severe pandemic influenza. Our healthcare professionals have been working with the other local installations as well as the El Paso County Health Department to ensure we have a unified response and are prepared in the event that the severity of the illness increases. Wing personnel should read the disease containment plan and consider the implications for their units. Family care plans, shift work, telework, and home-based supplies for prolonged isolation are some starting points for family and unit discussion. In addition to the DCP, the CDC has an excellent Web site that describes home preparations at http://www.pandemicflu.gov. We are confident that we are prepared and with everyone's assistance in following the recommendations we can minimize the impact to our community and ultimately our mission. Related Web sites: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/hospital.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm