LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD’S NOVEL H1N1 VIRUS READINESS PROGRAMPresentation for Students

2009-2010

INTRODUCTION

Novel H1N1 flu, commonly referred to as “swine flu,” is a new influenza virus affecting Americans since April 2009. Most people who have contracted the novel H1N1 virus

have recovered without requiring medical treatment. Certain groups of people are particularly vulnerable to

the disease.

This presentation will teach you what novel H1N1 virus is how to recognize its signs and symptoms in people the importance of preventing the spread of this disease what you can do at home and at school to prevent the

spread of this disease.

NOVEL H1N1 FLU

Originally thought to be very similar to influenza viruses that infect pigs.

Further analysis of the H1N1 virus has revealed that this virus also contains genes from avian (bird) influenza viruses and human influenza viruses. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

A Word About VirusesViruses are not alive. They lack all of the characteristics that most scientists use to classify something as a living thing, namely they do not have the ability to reproduce by themselves. Instead, viruses must infect a host organism. When a person is infected with the virus, the viruses manage to penetrate the immune system and enter a person’s cells. There the viruses are able to use the cell’s own biological machinery to produce more viruses.

Did you know?

NOVEL H1N1 FLU

Most people are able to recover from influenza infection. bodies retain a “memory” of the infectious

viruses – called “immunity”.

Unfortunately, novel H1N1 flu is a very new virus for which most people do not have immunity. A vaccine for novel H1N1 flu is being developed. It is uncertain if it will be available to immunize

the general public by the fall and winter influenza season.

SPREADING THE FLU Novel H1N1 flu is contagious.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something –such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.”

all respiratory secretions and bodily fluids be regarded as potentially infectious.

influenza viruses can survive and thus potentially infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being left on a surface.

GETTING SICK WITH THE FLU

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to seasonal flu symptoms fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and

vomiting associated with this flu virus. Severe illness and death have occurred as a result

of infection with novel H1N1 flu virus.

GETTING SICK WITH THE FLU

So far, novel H1N1 flu virus has been more severe than seasonal influenza in persons younger than 25 years of age.

According to the CDC, “people infected with seasonal and H1N1 flu shed virus [and are therefore considered contagious]” …from the day before they get sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in children and in people with weakened immune systems.

WHO IS AT RISK FOR GETTING NOVEL H1N1 FLU

The following groups of people may experience complications from seasonal influenza and may be similarly affected by H1N1 flu.

Children less than 5 years old Persons aged 65 years or older Children and adolescents under the age of 18 who are

receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection

Pregnant women Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary,

cardiovascular, kidney, blood, neurological, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorder.

Adults and children who have immunosuppression Residents of nursing homes and similar long-term care

facilities.

PREVENTION - VACCINATION

Get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. If a vaccine against novel H1N1 flu virus

becomes available consider being vaccinated for this virus as well.

PREVENTION – GOOD HEALTH PRACTICES

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash immediately after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm (elbow). Avoid touching this area of your clothing. Change and launder the garment as soon as possible.

There are some important everyday steps to prevent the transmission of diseases including novel H1N1 flu virus. These include the following:

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. If there is visible soil on your hands always use soap and water instead of alcohol based hand cleaners. When washing your hands, you should scrub them for 15-20 seconds (long enough to hum the “Happy Birthday” song 2 times) before rinsing.If soap and water are not available, alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective if used properly. Rub a nickel-sized amount of alcohol based hand cleaner on all surfaces of the hands. Rub until the cleaner is dry before touching anything with your hands.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Try to avoid contact with sick people. Follow public health advice about social distancing measures such as avoiding crowds or close contact with others.

SWINE FLU PARTIES The CDC does not recommend “swine flu parties”

as a way of protecting yourself against novel H1N1 flu virus. No way to predict whether someone will gain immunity

or severe illness from being infected with H1N1 flu virus, these types of events are discouraged.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BECOME SICK WITH THE FLU?

If you are sick with a flu-like illness, you should: stay home avoid contact with other people Inform a teacher or the school nurse

if you are at school and experience flu-like symptoms.

Remain at home for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone except to obtain medical attention. Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BECOME SICK WITH THE FLU?If you experience any of the following warning signs, you should seek emergency

medical care:  In children: fast breathing or trouble breathing bluish or gray skin color not drinking enough fluids severe or persistent vomiting not waking up or interacting being so irritable that the child does not want to be held flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen sudden dizziness confusion severe or persistent vomiting flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Because you are adolescents it is possible that if you get very sick you might experience symptoms from the children’s list, the adult list, or both depending upon your age, health, and other factors.

WHAT IS LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD DOING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF H1N1 FLULoyola Blakefield is taking a proactive approach 1. Education via this presentation. 2. Alcohol-based hand cleaner stations have been installed throughout

the campus. 3. Tissues will be provided in many classrooms for student use. 4. Loyola has increased its sanitization of desks, bathrooms and other

surfaces to kill any germs that may remain on these surfaces after the school day.

5. Loyola Blakefield may implement other social distancing measures if public health authorities recommend that this step be taken to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza viruses.

School’s Out! Sort of…If the severity of the current H1N1 outbreak increases, then Loyola Blakefield or local and state public health authorities may decide to dismiss students for a period of time to reduce the spread of the disease. If an extended school dismissal occurs, Loyola students should be prepared to work from home through the Online Campus Community. Therefore it is important that you maintain connectivity to the OCC throughout the fall and winter influenza season.

Did you know?

CONCLUSION

On June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was occurring. A ‘pandemic’ is a widespread outbreak of a disease. This declaration was not made to instill fear in people, but rather to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with the transmission of a new disease to the human population.

REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu). 8 September 2009. 9 September 2009 <www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu>.