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'Tis the Season...
Here's the Flu Information You Need
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Every year in the United States, an average of 5-20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
The CDC urges everyone to take three action steps to protect against the flu (see brochure attached):
- Take time to get vaccinated. The first line of offense for flu prevention is still considered to be the flu vaccine.
- Take everyday preventive actions. No matter where you are, hygiene is important. Wash your hands frequently especially before you touch something others may touch, including telephones, TV remotes, door handles, money, kitchen or bathroom items, books, games or your computer – anything! Be sure to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. If a tissue is not available, providers often recommend coughing into your elbow as one way to keep germs off your hands.
- Take flu antiviral drugs if recommended. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs are not sold over-the-counter and are different from antibiotics.
The seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect against the 2009 novel or new H1N1 influenza virus (formerly referred to as swine flu). H1N1 is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads, but may cause more illness or more severe illness than usual. A new vaccine against H1N1 is being produced and may be ready for the public later this fall.
Recommended Employer Responses for the 2009-2010 Flu Season
Sick persons should stay home!
- Advise workers to be alert to any signs of fever and any other signs of flu-like illness before reporting to work each day, and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are ill. Employees who are ill should not travel while they are ill.
- CDC recommends that employees with flu-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Expect sick employees to be out for about three to five days in most cases, even if antiviral medications are used.
- Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are well aware of these policies.
- Do not require a doctor’s note for workers who are ill with flu-like illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as doctor’s offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and may not be able to provide such documentation in a timely manner.
- Employees who are well, but who have an ill family member at home with the flu can go to work as usual. However, these employees should monitor their health every day, and notify their supervisor and stay home if they become ill.
- Employers should maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for an ill family member. Employers should be aware that more workers may need to stay at home to care for ill children or other ill family members than is usual.
- Encourage your employees to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza. Also encourage them to get vaccinated for 2009 H1N1 influenza when vaccines are available to them.
For more information regarding on-site vaccinations, contact Jason Allen of Occupational Wellness at 877-286-9113, jallen@occupationalwellness.net
Education and prevention are keys to protecting against both seasonal flu and H1N1 influenza. We strongly encourage you to download the attached PDF file "CDC Says 'Take 3' Steps to Fight the Flu" and distribute it to your employees.
For more information, check out the following Web sites:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/guidance "CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers To Plan and Respond to the 2009-2010 Influenza Season"
www.flu.gov For the latest and most updated information
www.occupationalwellness.net On-site influenza vaccine clinics
www.osha.gov/Publications/employers-protect-workers-flu-factsheet.pdf
www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3327pandemic.pdf "Guide on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic"
You can contact Lisa Duclos, Wellness Educator, NHAD Services, Inc. – Insurance Division, at 800-852-3372 or by e-mail at lduclos@nhada.com
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