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Featured Article:
CDC Says “Take 3” Actions to Fight the Flu
These
actions will protect against 2009 H1N1 too!
Flu
is a serious contagious disease. Each year in the United
States, on average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized
and 36,000 people die from seasonal flu complications. This
flu season could be worse because there is a new and very
different influenza virus causing illness called 2009 H1N1.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) urges you to take the following actions to protect
yourself and others from influenza (the flu):
1. Take time to get a flu
vaccine.
-
CDC
recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and
most important step in protecting against seasonal
influenza.
-
While there are many different flu viruses,
the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three
seasonal viruses that research suggests will be most
common.
-
Vaccination is especially important for
people at high risk of serious flu complications, including
young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health
conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease
and people 65 years and older.
-
A seasonal vaccine will not protect you
against 2009 H1N1.
-
A
new vaccine against 2009 H1N1
is being made.
-
People at greatest risk for 2009 H1N1
infection include children, pregnant women, and people with
chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart
and lung disease.
-
Ask your doctor if you should get a 2009
H1N1 vaccine.
2.
Take everyday preventive actions.
-
Cover your
nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based
hand rub.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Germs spread this way.
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Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
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If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC
recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after
your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other
necessities.
-
While sick, limit contact with others as
much as possible to keep from infecting them.
-
Follow public health advice regarding school
closures, avoiding crowds and other measures to lessen the
spread of flu.
3.
Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.
-
If you get
seasonal or 2009 H1N1 flu, antiviral drugs can treat the
flu.
-
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines
(pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the
flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
-
The priority use for
antiviral drugs this season is to treat people who are very
sick (hospitalized) or people who are:
-
Sick
with flu-like symptoms and who are at increased risk of
serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, young
children, people 65 and older and people with chronic
health conditions. (Most people have been able to recover
at home from 2009 H1N1 and the seasonal flu without
needing medical care.)
-
Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and
shorten the time you are sick.
-
Antiviral drugs are not sold
over-the-counter and are different from antibiotics.
-
For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if
started within the first 2 days of symptoms.
-
Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore
throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills
and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and
diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including
2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
-
Visit the CDC
2009 H1N1 website
(http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/) to find out what to do if you
get sick with the flu and how to care for someone at home
who is sick with the flu.
Reprinted from http://www.cdc.gov/flu
/protect/ preventing.htm
Useful Links:
Caring Solutions provides the following links
to other sites we believe you may find useful:
AARP
American Association of Retired Persons provides resources
and advice for finances, travel, health, and technology.
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
An excellent resource for
information on Alzheimer's disease.
American Health Assistance Foundation
AHAF is one of America's leading supporters of scientific and
medical investigations into Alzheimer's Disease, Glaucoma,
Macular Degeneration, Heart Disease, and Stroke.
California Association for Health Services At Home
(CAHSAH)
California's statewide home care association. CAHSAH
certifies home care aide organizations that meet its
standards.
Certified Senior Advisors
The Society of Certified Senior Advisors seeks to protect the
interests of seniors and assist those who serve them in their
professional development.
Dementia Care Professionals of America
A professional
organization and branch of the Alzheimer's Foundation of
America that promotes the highest standards in the care of
people with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Health and Age.com
An educational web center to promote interaction between the
public and healthcare professionals.
National Association of Area Agency on
Aging
N4A's primary mission is to build the capacity of its members
to help older persons and persons with disabilities live with
dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as
long as possible.
The Senior's Choice
A nationwide network
of senior care providers that promotes the best practices of
the homecare field among its members.
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce
As a member of
the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, we support our local
business community.
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