An important observance  during  August - National Immunization Awareness Month,  provides the opportunity to remind the entire community of the importance of immunization.  The most important responsibility school children’s parents have is to be sure that their kids’ vaccinations are current.  College students, adults and the entire community need to pay attention to the value of immunization.  Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that once routinely killed or harmed tens of thousands of infants, children, and adults.  

Each year, approximately 200,000 American citizens are hospitalized because of influenza.  An average of 36,000 persons die annually due to influenza and its complications.  Most are people 65 years of age and over.  Annually, there are approximately 40,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in the U.S. and one-third of these cases occur in people 65 and older.  About half of the 5,000 annual deaths from invasive pneumococcal disease occur in the elderly.  The entire community can be protected through high immunization rates because this interrupts the transmission of disease-causing bacteria or viruses.  Persons who are immunized are also protecting those people who cannot be immunized for medical reasons. 

Since 1994, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program has allowed eligible children to receive vaccinations as part of routine care.  The VFC program provides publicly purchased vaccines for use by all participating providers.  They are given to eligible children without cost to the provider or the parent.  The VFC program provides immunizations for children who are uninsured, Medicaid recipients and others that can be given at their doctors’ offices.  VFC also provides immunizations at participating federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.  The program has contributed to high immunization rates and thus reduced delays in immunizations and, subsequently, the risk of serious illness or death from vaccine-preventable diseases. 

Free immunizations have already begun, in order for parents to have their school children ready to walk into classrooms the very first day of school.  Every year, many parents have failed to do so, only to be angry that their child cannot be registered to attend school until they have had their shots.  When free protection is offered, there’s no reason to delay.  Children who have received their vaccinations have a greater chance for not missing school due to sickness, which in turn, helps their parents avoid missing work. 

Take the time now to get school children up-to-date on their immunizations.  Adults, start thinking about getting your flu shot, as the season will soon be here.   We are fortunate to live in an age where so many devastating illnesses have been eradicated.  The Centers for Disease Control’s National Immunization Program (NIP) strives to prevent disease, disability, and death in children and adults through vaccination.  NIP is committed to promoting immunization at every stage of life, providing leadership on vaccines and immunization, strengthening and communicating immunization science, providing immunization education and information, and improving health in the U.S. and globally.

Source: CDC

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The first global pandemic that had occurred in 40 years hit worldwide last year!  A nasty virus called “H1N1 Influenza” spread throughout the globe.  Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  It can be mild or severe, and can cause death in older persons, youngsters, and those who have certain underlying health conditions.  The H1N1 virus did not seem to affect older citizens as much as young adults, some of them in good health. 

Signs of influenza are body aches, chills, dry cough, fever, headache, and stuffy nose.  “Stomach flu” is not influenza.  There are certain antiviral medications that your healthcare provider may wish to prescribe for you.  Prevention is the key: annual flu vaccine.  Scientists make up a different vaccine each year because strains of influenza vary from year to year.  Experts are predicting we will see more of the H1N1 bug, as well as other viruses.  The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 strain and two other influenza viruses.  If you take the shot, and still get the flu, the severity of it should be reduced. 

Symptoms of the common cold, which strikes more than one billion victims per year in the United States, are scratchy throat, runny nose, and sneezing.  Bed rest, fluids, gargling with warm salt water, using lozenges and throat sprays are common treatments for colds.  Colds are usually milder than flu and most often do not result in serious health problems.  Some over-the- counter medications might help.  Antibiotics will not kill viruses or prevent bacterial infections.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children not be given aspirin when they have a viral illness such as a cold.  Contact your pediatrician for best advice. 

When it comes to the common cold or influenza, here are some ways to help you  prevent and/or cope with either one of them: 

• Avoid touching shared telephones, computers, stairway rails, doorknobs, money, and after doing so, wash hands properly!
• Use alcohol-based disinfecting products for your hands.
• Wash hands frequently, and teach your children to do so as well.
• Try not to get too close to someone who is sneezing, coughing.
• Stay away from others if you are sneezing or coughing.
• If you have to sneeze or cough, sneeze or cough into your elbow, not hands.
• While you are ill, stay home, DO NOT PASS GO, and get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.  Don’t take your germs to work or school, get well first!

Other respiratory viruses that curculate during flu season are non-flu viruses that include rhinovirus – one source of the common cold, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in young children and persons age sixty-five and older.

If you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, think seriously about getting one.  Let’s try to stay ahead of the “bugs” this year!

Sources: Centers for Disease Control

Nat’l Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

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If you are not among the lucky ones that are going to the spectacular country of Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics, get out the hot chocolate, popcorn, candy and other goodies and get ready for some excitement and beautiful scenery.   British Columbia, Canada, is home to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games from February 12 through 28, and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 through 21.  Host venue cities are Vancouver, Whistler, and Richmond.  The official torch is already crossing Canada.

Officials have been preparing for months, and Canadians are excited to welcome athletes and fans from all over the world.  The government is taking serious precautions with safety, health and security concerns for all visitors and athletes, as well as their own citizens.

One of the health issues is the spread of the H1N1 virus.  The World Health Organization is sending a representative to monitor for potential disease outbreaks, but officials feel the threat has passed.  However, British Columbia health officials have been planning for the possible impact it would have on the games since before the pandemic was declared in June.  In their planning, they decided to keep a large supply of antiviral drugs on hand, just in case.

To avoid a major outbreak, the best practices are to continue with these sanitary protocols: washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and when sick, don’t get out in public.  Persons traveling to the games need to be watchful for exposure to sick persons, and not touch surfaces if they can keep from it.  Those with children should be extra cautious in protecting them from the illness.  Keeping hand sanitizer in ones’ bag or purse will serve as a reminder to keep your hands clean.  First and foremost, persons planning to attend need to get both the seasonal flu shot and H1N1 shot.  Hopefully, the athletes will have had theirs.  More than 100 staffers of the U.S. Olympic Committee are getting their H1N1 vaccines before they head to Vancouver.  Athletes are saying there may be more “elbow bumps” than hand shaking this time!

The Canadian organizers of the games have contingency plans for staffing should the virus affect regular staff members.  A security team of 750 officers will be on stand-by in case of illness or emergency.  There is a pool of volunteers that can be ready in short-order time.  Although they can’t make it a requirement, all staff members and volunteers have been asked to take the vaccine.  Many teams are arriving this month, and will have the opportunity to take the vaccine in time for it to be effective, if they haven’t already taken it.  Public health nurses will be at the athletes’ villages, as well as venues, including hotels where officials and sponsors will stay to monitor for illnesses.

We wish the country of Canada much success in keeping athletes, their families, and all the visitors to the Olympics both safe and well.  There are many security issues that they are dealing with, as well as health concerns.  With the very best athletes representing their home countries, this is a time for focusing the eyes of the world toward the good sportsmanship that is displayed by those who have worked so very hard to achieve their goals.  We wish good traveling and health to all those who are fortunate to attend these Winter Olympics, in addition to the excitement of seeing the true beauty of Canada.

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If you haven’t had your seasonal flu shot, it’s time!  In the latest reports from the Texas Department of Health Services, there is an increase in flu-like illnesses and lab-confirmed cases in one-half of the state’s regions.  This means that the state’s influenza activity is classified as “widespread”.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) flu activity classifications range from none to sporadic, local, regional, and widespread.

Here is information from the CDC, effective this week:

• There are 26 states with widespread influenza activity, which is very unusual at this time.

• Almost all of the viruses so far have been identified as H1N1.

• Visits to physicians for flu-like illnesses have increased nationally.

• For the past six consecutive weeks, influenza-like illnesses are higher than expected during this time of year.

• Hospital rates for influenza illnesses in adults and children are similar to or lower than seasonal flu rates, but are higher than expected for this time of year.

• There have been 49 pediatric deaths from H1N1 flu reported to CDC since April 2009, including three this week.

Early results from clinical trials, which began in mid-August for children’s H1N1 vaccine have been excellent, especially for the age group 10-17.  Experts feel that only one dose will be required to protect children from this virus.

Two separate vaccinations are required, one for seasonal flu and the other for H1N1.  One will not protect you from the other.  If you haven’t gotten your shot yet, please do so.  The H1N1 vaccine should be ready by early to mid-October; however, there will be special groups that will receive theirs first: children, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and those who are more susceptible to infection.  It won’t be long, though, so get the seasonal flu shot, and as soon as the new vaccine is available, get it.

In the meantime, take the precautions that healthcare professionals have been advising all along: wash your hands often, keep hand sanitizer with you for when you can’t wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, and stay away from crowds if possible.  If you become ill, don’t go to work or school.  It’s going to take individual awareness to overcome these viruses that are lurking.

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With all the talk about the H1N1 virus, there are some other bugs out there, and we’re not talking about big cockroaches!  These bugs can be anywhere: at your home, grocery store, the gym, and your place of work.  Because they have developed a resistance to antibiotics, more and more persons are becoming infected with various germs that the antibiotics once knocked out with ease.  Helen W. Boucher, M.D., a specialist in the division of infectious diseases at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, says “drug resistant bacteria have developed mainly because of our overuse and misuse of antibiotics, leading us to a crisis point.” She also said that they are seeing bugs today that resist all antibiotics.

Here are a few supergerms that you may not be aware of, and what to do:

• Strains of flu: bird flu, swine flu, and seasonal flu.  Get flu vaccines when available, and practice good hygiene, especially washing your hands very often with soap and water.  Stay away from crowds when you don’t feel well.

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).  There has been much more said about staph infections in the last few years.  Staph can be a deadly infection.  Athletes need to be careful not to share towels or equipment.  In a gym, don’t hesitate to wipe down equipment you plan to use with an antibacterial wipe.  Daycare centers and schools may harbor this bug, so teach kids to wash, wash their hands!  Any public place you visit, especially hospitals, we caution you to be extra vigilant about what you touch.  Most of us carry staph on our skin, without ever developing a problem.  Staph causes skin and soft-tissue abcesses.  Cover the places and seek medical attention to ensure this infection doesn’t get into your system.

• Clostiridium difficile (C.diff.) This is one that most people don’t know anything about, unless they have worked in a hospital or had a family member that has experienced it.  C.diff. is a very aggressive killer of hospitalized patients.  Persons who have had a single dose of antibiotics for a sinus or urinary tract infection may come down with this bug, which is a toxic bacteria in the intestines.  Bleach is one of the best things to wipe surfaces in order to kill this bug.  Hospitals and nursing homes are facilities where this germ thrives.  Wash your hands often and don’t touch anything the patient has touched.

One way to help keep your body from becoming antibiotic resistant, is to not take them unless you absolutely have to.  Ask your doctor for the shortest course of antibiotics.  Be proactive: if you have to take an antibiotic, take a probiotic at the same time to build up the healthy bacteria in your body. Wash your hands the right way.  And if you or someone you know is hospitalized, don’t be shy about asking the caregiver to wash their hands, as if their hands are not clean before they put on gloves, the gloves will be contaminated, as well.

Now that we’ve warned you about some of the “little monsters” lurking out there, we hope you have a great day, and a “germ-free” one!

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It was announced Monday by US Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Bill Hall, that there will be approximately 45 million doses of the vaccine available by mid-October, which will be enough to immunize the priority groups that include pregnant women, children under age 4 and public health workers.  This total falls about two-thirds short of earlier estimates of vaccine that would be developed by this time.  It is anticipated, however, that approximately 20 millions doses can be produced weekly.

Vaccine testing of children began August 19th in five universities in the United States.  Dr. Karen Kotloff, lead investigator of H1N1 studies at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, stated that children are tested in the same way that standard licensed flu vaccines are tested in adults.  Medical professionals’ children are many of the ones that have enrolled to be tested.  These 600 young persons are divided into three groups: 6 to 35 months; age 3 to 9 years; and age 10 to 17 years old.  One-half of them receive 15 micrograms of antigens, which are the same as the  three strains of seasonal flu vaccine.  The other one-half receive 30 micrograms of antigens to determine if a higher dose is needed.  Because adults over age 50 have more immunity to H1N1, and children have very little immunity to it, experts believe that the amount of vaccine needed may vary according to age.

As fall approaches, with school openings and various sports activities starting, it is imperative that school officials are prepared to stop the spread of the virus by preparing their students to protect themselves as much as possible.  Parents, as well, can teach their younger students to cover their coughs and sneezes, not drink after anyone else, and wash their hands very often.
Everyone should take the seasonal flu shot as soon as it becomes available. Also, be sure to stock up on N95 masks just in case.

Source: ABC News

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This time of year is always a busy one for teachers, administrators, and staff, as they get everything ready for the first day of school.  This school year, however, presents a problem they had not contended with until last spring: how to prevent their students from contacting the H1N1 virus at school.  The federal government issued guidelines for schools, and plans to do the same soon for day care facilities, colleges, and employers.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan advocates “prevention, close monitoring, and common sense” in dealing with the dilemma.  Schools should teach health curriculums to students the first two weeks of school.  Hand washing and covering coughs are of the utmost importance.  Many schools are considering furnishing online resources for parents to be able to access materials when their kids miss school.

Ill students and staff should be separated from other students; a room set aside for them should be furnished until they can go home.   They should also be given protective respirators.  N95 masks block 95% of very small particles in the air.  These masks should fit properly, be replaced often and thrown away after one use.  They should be placed in a plastic bag before being thrown in the trash, and then the person should wash their hands thoroughly.

Hand sanitizer should be available at the school.  If the schools don’t furnish it, parents could send a bottle with their students to keep in their backpacks or lockers.  Parents play a very important role in protecting their students by keeping them at home if they are showing symptoms of the flu.  If that is the case, they should begin giving them fever reducers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen, as needed.  Gatorade also helps to keep them hydrated.   It is felt that students do not have to stay home after being ill as long as they were last year.  Suggestions are that they may return following 24 hours of being fever-free.

Everyone should get his/her regular seasonal flu shot, and hopefully, the new vaccine for this particular virus will be ready by mid-October.  It’s going to take a team effort to deal with what’s ahead, but hopefully, the cases will be mild.  Let’s do all we can to keep our kids well.

Source: ABC News

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We know that people are tired about reading about the H1N1 influenza virus, and hopefully, it is losing ground and will not be a worldwide pandemic.  In our articles “Pandemic Influenza”, and “Pandemic Influenza Part II”, we described what a pandemic is and how employers can best be prepared for one.  What about the country as a whole?

As was evidenced by the past threat, there was a negative effect on the stock market, travel industry, and entertainment industry, just to name a few.  In reviewing a message that was written November 10, 2005, by the Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, and sent to Senate and House Conferees on H.R. 3010 FY 2006, Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, one would think they were reading something that was written only yesterday.  It closed by stating that the “clock is ticking as the threat is growing”.

In 2005, funding was needed for the Avian Flu (H5N1) or Bird Flu.  Attempts for funding for pandemic outbreaks have been made ever since that year; requests for $870 million in extra funding was cut from a stimulus bill that passed earlier this year.  These funds would have gone a long way toward supporting state and local health departments’ preparedness, the Strategic National Stockpiles, vaccine research and production, gloves, and other required equipment.  Stockpiled vaccines should be equally proportioned to guarantee all states have the needed medicine.  Annual resources should be available to support ongoing state and local preparedness, not just at times of emergencies.

So far, we have not been put to the full test, but sooner or later, it is feared that there will be a strain that will be a full-blown pandemic and really get our attention.  As our workforces are being depleted by layoffs and cutbacks, will there be enough public health officials and healthcare workers to take care of the demands of a true pandemic?  It’s food for thought.

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Note:  We originally posted this article on February 19, 2009.  Ironically, we are now in the middle of a Swine Flu virus, that has caused the World Health Organization to raise the pandemic threat level to Phase 5, the second-highest level in the worldwide warning system.

Pandemic Influenza is when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunization in the human population- a global disease outbreak, which causes serious illness and spreads person to person worldwide.  Planning for Pandemic Influenza by business and industry is essential to minimize the impact of a pandemic.  It is essential to have a contingency plan.

Employers should develop a Pandemic Preparedness Plan by:

• Knowing Federal, State, and Local Health Department Pandemic Influenza Plans.

• Preparing for operations with reduced workforce.

• Ensuring their suppliers/customers that they will continue to operate.

• Developing a company policy that does not penalize employees for being sick; thereby encouraging them to stay home when they have symptoms such as fever, runny nose, muscle aches, or upset stomach, rather than exposing other employees.

• Understanding that their employees may need to take care of other ill family members.

• Considering enhancement of technology and communications equipment in order to allow employees to work from home.

• Cross-training employees in order to be prepared for absence of workers.

• Keeping their employees informed of their preparations in case of a widespread disease, making them feel safe about their work, and able to be off if necessary due to illness.

It is also important that employers educate their employees on coughing etiquette, hygiene, and using personal protective equipment when necessary.  This could mean gloves, goggles, respirators, and other means of preventing the spread of germs.  Hand sanitizer, tissue, and soap should be provided.  Employees should be discouraged from using each others’ computers, phones, and equipment.  Washing hands often is one of the most important ways to keep down the spread of germs.

Another important measure of prevention is the flu vaccine.  Sometimes it takes a few months for the proper vaccine to be developed after there is an outbreak; however, whatever flu vaccine is available should alleviate the severity of the illness.  Note: there is no vaccine for this type of flu; scientists are working round-the-clock to prepare a vaccine to be ready for human testing.  In the United States, thousands of courses of Tamiflu and Relenza, have been sent to states reporting confirmed cases of swine flu.  The government has a stockpile of the courses ready as needed.  These two anti-viral medications are the best known to treat influenza.
OSHA

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The World Health Organization Health Assembly began today and will go through Friday, five days less than normally held because health ministers are monitoring H1N1 outbreaks in their own countries. 

As of Sunday, 8,480 persons have been ill from the virus in approximately forty countries.  Seventy-five deaths have resulted so far, most in Mexico.  Chile announced its first case Sunday.  Japan’s Health Minister confirmed more than 120 definite cases today. 

There have been 6 deaths in the United States: 3 in Texas, 1 each in Washington and Arizona. In New York City, a beloved Assistant Principal died last night.  He had had symptoms of the virus for a week before his school was closed last Thursday.  He was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator.  It is suspected that the virus, as well as complications all played a part in his death.

The World Health Organization’s main focus will be combating the outbreak of the virus as well as holding discussions on developing a vaccine.  In Southern Hemisphere countries, the annual flu season will soon begin.  If a new vaccine is to be developed for the H1N1 strain, production for seasonal flu would be switched to production for the H1N1 virus vaccine.

In the U.S., we are not hearing of as many cases, and school closings have slowed down.

However, we must remain alert to the symptoms of many types of flu:

• High fever

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

If symptoms persist, see your doctor, stay away from others, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol sanitizers.

Source: AP

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