CHRONIC CONDITIONS
INFORMATION NETWORK OF VT & NH
Flu Updates
CCIN Home

About CCIN

CCIN Publications

Other CCIN Websites

Site Map

Contact Information

Give us Your Feedback

With support from the Byrne Foundation, CCIN is working in collaboration with the NH Immunization Program, American Lung Association of NH, NH Asthma Control Program, Northern NH AHEC . and the Southern NH AHEC, to reduce flu in the 2005 - 2006 season.

The following web-pages provide a variety of information, as well as free materials for anyone to download, photocopy, and distribute as they need.

DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THE FLU: Free poster and cards which can be downloaded and copied.

FLU BASICS: Learn more about what the flu is, how it is spread, ways to prevent it, which groups receive priority for the flu vaccine this year, and what to do if you think you have the flu.

FLU PREVENTION: Strategies for preventing a flu outbreak, with specific tips for employers, libraries, schools, the tourism industry and town managers, as well as free materials that can be downloaded and used.

FLU BASICS

The following information is from the NH Department of Health and Human Services www. as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza (commonly called the "flu") is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. An estimated 200,000 Americans are hospitalized and 36,000 die each year from complications of the flu.

Symptoms of the flu

  • Headache
  • Sudden high fever
  • Tiredness
  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body aches
  • Nausea, vomiting & diarrhea (Much more common among children than adults)

How flu is spread

The influenza virus is spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes or speaks, and spreads the virus into the air. Other people then inhale the virus. The virus can also be spread when a person touches a surface with the flu virus on it (for example, a door handle) and then touches his or her nose or mouth.

How to avoid the flu: Vaccination

Vaccination is a good way to avoid getting the flu. Given the uncertainties in available doses of inactivated influenza vaccine and the timing of its distribution, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following priority groups receive inactivated influenza vaccine until October 24, 2005:

  • persons aged >65 years, residents of long term care facilities
  • persons aged 2 - 64 years with co-morbid conditions
  • children aged 6 - 23 months
  • pregnant women
  • health-care personnel who provide direct patient care
  • household contacts
  • out-of-home caregivers of children aged <6 months.
This prioritization does not apply to FluMistTM.

To learn more whether you qualify for flu vaccination in your state, please check below

How to Avoid the Flu: Cover and Wash

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose every time you cough or sneeze.
  • Use a tissue and then put it in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often and well. Use soap and warm water and wash for at least 15 seconds, or use an alcohol hand sanitizer.
  • Keep your hands away from eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Clean surfaces you touch often. If someone in your household has symptoms of cold or flu, clean surfaces such as door knobs, water faucets, refrigerator handle, telephone, etc. often.
  • Don't share anything that goes into the mouth.

Keep healthy by

  • getting plenty of rest
  • drinking plenty of liquids...
  • getting regular exercise, and eating healthy foods.

If You Get Sick...

  • Stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from getting sick.
  • Get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
  • Consult with your doctor about the use of antiviral medications.
  • If your flu symptoms are unusually severe (for example, if you are having trouble breathing), you should consult your health care provider right away.
  • If you are at special risk from complications of flu, you should consult your health care provider when your flu symptoms begin. This includes people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and children.

Have more questions about the flu?

FLU PREVENTION

There are simple steps anyone can take to keep the flu from spreading. This page offers several resources that you can use.

How to Avoid the Flu: Vaccination

How to Avoid the Flu: Cover & Wash

Prevention Tips for

Prevention Resources

Tips for Employers

  • Assure that a continuous supply of hand soap is available in wash rooms
  • In areas where employees are in contact with the public, make sure that hand sanitizers are readily available for regular use, if soap and water are not readily available.
  • Provide tissue supplies for employees
  • Promote messages to employees on actions they can take to protect themselves and others-download "Don't Have Time for the Flu" cards and including them in pay check envelopes. "Don't Have Time for the Flu" posters can be displayed throughout the office. Post "Cover Your Cough" posters in wash rooms and other areas where employees might see them.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick
  • Encourage sick employees to stay home
  • Clean hands frequently
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Consult with your doctor about the use of antiviral medications if you do become ill with the flu.
  • Read the CDC's section on Flu and the Workplace

Tips for Libraries

In addition to the tips outlined for employers, librarians can protect themselves and their patrons by:

  • Posting "Don't Have Time for the Flu" and "Cover Your Cough" posters on the front door of the building.
  • Having hand sanitizer readily available for those working at the circulation desk, as well as patrons when entering the library.
  • Encourage patrons to wash their hands before picking up books.
  • Discussing flu prevention strategies with your library board and develop a policy that will address any unique issues your library might have.

Tips for Schools

In addition to the tips outlined for employers, consider the following:

  • Sending "Don't Have Time for the Flu" cards home with students. Use them as a way to talk about prevention with students.
  • Display "Don't Have Time for the Flu" and "Cover Your Cough" posters on the front door of the building so that students, teachers, guests and parents see it on their way in the door. Display in other locations around the school
  • In areas not easily accessible to soap and water, have hand sanitizers available.
  • Teachers and staff need to continually role model flu prevention strategies by covering their mouth appropriately when they cough and frequent hand washing.
  • Read the CDC's section on Flu and Schools

Tips for Tourism Industry

Winter time, with all of the opportunities for skiing, snowboarding and other activities, brings a lot of tourists from other states. Some of them can easily bring with them flu and colds.

Tips for Town Managers

Prevention Resources

Regional Flu Resources

National Flu Resources

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Info line 1-800-CDC-INFO (4636) is available 24 hours a day

Educational Materials



DISCLAIMER: Materials contained in this website are for information purposes only and do not necessarily imply endorsement of a particular organization, treatment regimen, medication, health care provider, place of business, political or religious conviction, or moral philosophy.

Last Modified: November 6, 2005. Send any inquiries to webmaster@cc-info.net