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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2004)
Cha-may weeya Medicine Talk Siletz Community Health Clinic What You Should Know About the Flu What is the Flu? 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. The best way to pre vent it is to get a flu vaccine each fall. Every year in the United States, on average: • • • 5 percent to 20 percent of the popu lation gets the flu More than 200,000 people are hos pitalized from flu complications 36,000 people die from the flu • • Muscle aches Gastro-intestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are much more common in children than adults What You Can Do Stop the spread of germs that make you and others sick. Serious respiratory illnesses like influenza, respiratory syn cytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are spread by: Symptoms, Complications Symptoms of the flu include: • • • • • • flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehy dration, and worsening of chronic medi cal conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections. Coughing or sneezing Unclean hands • • 1. The flu spreads in respiratory drop lets caused by coughing and sneezing. It usually spreads from person to person, • • although occasionally a person may be come infected by touching something with the virus on it and then touching sick. This means that you can give someone the flu before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick. 2. 3. To help stop the spread of germs, you should: • their mouth or nose. Adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before getting symp toms and up to seven days after getting Fever (usually high) Headache Extreme tiredness Dry cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose We have received a limited sup ply of flu vaccine. If you or your fam ily members are high risk, please: Some complications caused by the How It Spreads Some people are at high risk for serious flu complications, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions. Siletz Clinic Flu Shots Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing by: High-Risk Groups • • • • • Washing with soap and water; or Cleaning with alcohol-based hand cleaner. • Note: You may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others. • • • Schedule an appointment with your provider Schedule an appointment with a nurse Walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. only • All children age 6 to 23 months Adults age 65 and older Persons age 2 to 64 with under lying chronic medical condi tions, i.e., heart/lung disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer, hepa titis on interferon All women who will be preg nant during the flu season Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities Children age 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy Health care workers with direct patient care Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children up to 6 months old Having Guests Who Smoke? Holiday celebrations are just around the comer. Here are some sug gestions to let your friends and family know, without seeming rude or judg mental, that you don’t allow smoking in your home. First, remember that you should not be embarrassed about wanting to pro tect your family. Second, keep in mind that most smokers know that tobacco is bad for health and if asked, will put out their cigarette. • • 20 • « A “Smoke Free Home'' decal at your front door will let a smoker know your feelings before they even enter your home. If a guest starts to light up or asks for an ashtray, speak to them with out causing a distraction. Letting Siletz News V < i • • December 2004 ♦ • I • your guest know that you under stand his or her feelings will go a long way toward keeping everyone from getting angry or upset. You can say something like, “I know it’s hard when you don't smoke, but I know you care about our health. I’d Free Quit Kits Available at Clinic 2005 New Year’s Resolution to Quit Smoking? like to ask you to smoke outside. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but this is really important.” • Let your guests know about your smoke-free home policy when you extend your invitations. To get a “Take it Outside” or “We Live in a Smoke-Free Home” decal for your home or car, call DeAnna Pearl at the Siletz Clinic, 541-444-9659 or 1-800-648-0449, ext. 1659. Kits are available to those who want to quit smoking in the new year. The kits include mints, gum, finger toys, stickers, stamps, and in formation on how to quit and stay smoke-free. Ask a nurse or contact DeAnna Pearl at 1-800-648-0449, ext. 1659, or 541-444-9659; or e-mail siletztobacco@ctsi.nsn.us for a free Quit Kit.
