This is an extra post for the week. As an OSHA/HR career consultant and speaker on this topic for several years, you can take this post as a community service message from Mrs. Bankrupt. Given the recent H1N1 outbreaks in colleges across the country, (and my own community), I’m throwing in my advice.
In addition to saving money, and watching budgets, safeguarding health is a valuable issue. As I write, it’s a beautiful day. It’s hard to think a flu season has already started. By now we all know the Swine Flu (H1N1) is a nasty strain of Influenza, circulating around the country. On top of that, there’s also Seasonal Influenza to worry about. What can we do to protect their families?
Part of my work, formally, has been writing disaster planning programs for businesses. In 2006, I began tracking and training pandemic response for industries. What I’ve told nearly 200 diverse companies, including schools and police departments, in regard to these outbreaks is very similar to family preparedness.
First of all, be aware of the difference between the two “flu” viruses.
Seasonal Flu, is typically seen in North America in late winter- spring. There is a single dose vaccine available for Seasonal Flu. Usually, manufacturers begin preparations for this annual event 9-11 months in advance, by tracking and estimating what strains will be prevalent in the following year. Seasonal Influenza is serious, and causes 30 + thousand deaths a year. Fatalities are usually limited to the elderly or those with lowered immunity. The Seasonal Flu, once summer hits, typically dies out. A new strain reappears each year and the cycle continues with a different virus.
H1N1 Flu or Swine Flu, however, is a horse of a different color. Unlike Seasonal Influenza, Swine Flu did not die out in the summer, but instead smoldered in small pockets of the country. The danger with a virus such as this is that the longer it lingers, it can become increasingly more severe or change before a vaccine is created. H1N1 target ages are those under 25- (young healthy people and children). Because it’s an unplanned, new virus, scientists were not able to predict a vaccine. As it’s a complex virus, developing a vaccine has proved challenging.
After a vaccine prototype is developed, there must also be a trial (which we wait for in full at this writing). You’ll hear the word, “pandemic” associated with H1N1, but not with Seasonal Flu. A pandemic is a global outbreak of the same disease over an extended period of time. The estimated fatality rate of H1N1 is 90,000 Americans, which seems like a horrific number. But remember, that statistic is due to its length of virus survival and without a vaccine figured into the mix. With a vaccine, the H1N1 will likely disappear. At least that’s the hope of all who are furiously working on the vaccine currently. I’ve seen estimates that with no vaccine, as much as 50% of the population can be affected by H1N1.
Points to remember:
Both Seasonal and H1N1 influenzas can strike at the same time, if H1N1 lingers into the spring (which is very likely).
You and your family will need two different series of shots. The first, available now, is only for the three main strains of 2009/2010 Seasonal Influenzas, not H1N1. Health care professionals are highly recommending Seasonal Flu vaccines this year. Contracting Seasonal Flu may create a compromised immune system. Therefore, you may be more susceptible to getting other illnesses, (including Swine Flu), which is why current Seasonal Flu vaccines are in your best interest. Cost for Seasonal Flu vaccine is around $24. Medicare patients will receive theirs free. Many communities are also offering free Seasonal Flu shots to children, college students, as well as the elderly and other high risk groups. Check with your local health department or physician.
Swine Flu, (H1N1) vaccines are not available yet. Currently, trials are in effect for a two part vaccine (21 days apart) for H1N1. A projected date for release of H1N1 vaccines is mid October/early November. This of course means you’ll need a total of three shots if you elect for Seasonal and H1N1 vaccines. (There is some hope of a single shot for H1N1, but it too is in the testing phase). As H1N1 is a public safety issue, vaccines will be free if you do not have insurance. High risk groups will be given vaccine first. These will be children, teens, and young adults, such as college student age. Those in the 24-26 age brackets appear to be the next triage in vaccines. Then the general population will be released for vaccine. However, more details have yet to unfold.
Buy “Over the Counter Meds”- You don’t want to be in the cold and flu aisle buying cough medicine when H1N1 hits your community. Common sense says, “That’s where all the sick people will be.” Stock up now. Suggestions include, fever relievers and cough meds, decongestants, etc. If you don’t have a thermometer, grab one soon. In addition, pick up hand sanitizer and begin using it.
Wash your hands frequently and instruct kids to do so as well. Unlike Seasonal Flu, which is very contagious in the air, Swine Flu appears to spread more easily by direct contact. This only underlines the importance of hand washing. Wash hands for the length of time you’d sing “Happy Birthday” and use friction to scrub well. Simply rinsing hands off does not kill germs. Plain soap is just as effective as anti-bacterial, folks.
Don’t waste your money buying “germ killing” cleaners for the bathroom or surfaces, unless they state on the label, “effective against Influenza”. Too often those items that advertise, “Kills 99.9% of germs on contact” are not destroying the hardy variety of germs, (like HIV, Hepatitis, MRSA or Influenza). Lysol Spray Disinfectant, (aerosol) or household bleach are excellent options for disinfecting. Wait ten minutes after spraying Lysol for the full effects of germ killing factors. Bleach loses its germ killing abilities through prolonged exposure to light and air. Freshly mix ¼ cup bleach with ½ gallon of hot water, just prior to cleaning and then discard the rest (or use to whiten laundry). Don’t keep premixed bleach and water around for germ killing. Cleansers with “bleach added” do not have effective properties against H1N1 or Influenza. Stick to the basics for sanitizing.
Apply preparedness and common sense, not panic. This is a serious issue, but not a panic situation. Should you or a loved one get a case of Influenza, don’t delay seeking treatment. Anti-viral’s, such as Tami-Flu, have proven effective in lessening symptoms. However, you must begin a regimen of anti-viral’s as soon as symptoms appear for them to be effective. Old fashioned cures- bed rest, fluids, and treating symptoms, such as fever, cough, etc are necessary. Don’t go to work if ill. Keep kids home if they have a fever. Isolate sick family members. Wash hands when tending to the sick. Watch for signs of pneumonia or labored breathing. You’ll know Influenza by how rapidly its onset is. Last year, my 16 year old and I both had Seasonal Influenza. What started with a slight headache, within hours turned into 104-105 temperatures, horrific body aches, chills, coughs, and congestion. This hung on for three days straight. (With Tami-flu, I might add). After a round of Influenza, expect to feel weak for several days, and have a lingering cough. Seek medical care if symptoms again worsen after recovery. Don’t go to the ER, unless there is a life threatening emergency. Bottom line- Get your vaccines, be prepared and seek medical attention if you get anything that resembles Influenza.