Health Department says the flu is here and offers tips on how to protect yourself

Flu is hitting Rhode Island harder and faster than last year

PROVIDENCE – Michael Fine, MD, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH), has issued a Declaration of Widespread Flu Incidence Statewide. This declaration triggers Rhode Island's regulations requiring all healthcare workers who have not been immunized against influenza to wear a surgical mask during all times of direct patient contact.

"Flu is here in Rhode Island, and all signs indicate that this flu season is expected to be more severe than those in recent past," said Dr. Fine. "We encourage all Rhode Islanders to protect themselves and those around them by being immunized against influenza. Our healthcare workers have an obligation to protect those they care for by getting immunized or wearing a mask as required by the Department of Health's regulations."

"Direct patient contact" is defined as routinely anticipated face-to-face contact with patients, such as when entering a patient's room, serving food to patients or participating in group patient activities.

In Rhode Island, Flu is hitting babies the hardest so far

Vaccines are one of the best ways to prevent the flu, and to avoid spreading it to people at high risk of flu-related complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this year's flu vaccine is less well-matched to the current strain of influenza (H3N2) than in prior years. Vaccination, however, continues to be the most effective way for individuals to protect themselves and their families from a disease which kills many Rhode Islanders each year and which causes the hospitalization of hundreds.

HEALTH is urging all Rhode Islanders to be immunized this week for maximum protection against illness.

In addition, HEALTH urges all healthcare workers and healthcare facilities to encourage hand washing and continue infection control measures. Flu vaccine is generally recommended for people ages six months and older. It is especially important for healthcare workers, pregnant women, people over the age of 50, nursing or group home residents, and people with chronic conditions such as heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, anemia, blood disorders, or weakened immune systems to be immunized against flu.

In particular, those who live with or care for those who are at high risk of flu-related complications should also be immunized. Symptoms of influenza can include fever, cough, head and body aches, fatigue and runny nose. Some people also have vomiting and diarrhea. Immunizations are available throughout Rhode Island, including through your primary care provider, at flu vaccination clinics, and at local pharmacies. For more information about influenza or to find a vaccination clinic near you, visit www.health.ri.gov/flu

What you should do to avoid the flu

Get vaccinated. Flu vaccine is safe and it is the best defense against the flu. Get your flu vaccine at your doctor's office, at a community clinic, or at a pharmacy.

It is especially important for people in the following groups to be vaccinated:

• Pregnant women;
• Children 6 months to 19 years of age;
• People with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, anemia, blood disorders, or weakened immune systems;
• People 50 years of age or older;
• Nursing or group home residents
• Healthcare workers;
• People who live with or care for those at high risk of flu-related complications.

Practice good health habits

• Flu viruses spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes near another person. They may also spread when people touch something covered with infected droplets and then touch their eyes, mouth, or nose.
• Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel. MORE
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Flu is spread through coughing or sneezing on other people or into your hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent others from getting sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

Keep it Clean

Flu viruses can live outside the body for up to two hours. These germs spread when someone sneezes or coughs and touches something that contaminates a surface. You can prevent or contain the spread of these germs by:

• Keeping surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.
• Throw away tissues and other items used by sick people. Wash your hands after touching used tissues or other trash.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately. These items should not be shared without being washed thoroughly.
• Wash linens (bed sheets and towels) in regular laundry detergent. Dry them on the hottest setting the fabric can tolerate. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel after handling dirty laundry.

What you should do if you think you have the flu

• Stay home if you are sick. If you have flu-like symptoms (fever plus a cough or fever plus a sore throat), stay home from work, school, or child care until you have been fever-free (temperature less than 100.4 degrees F/38 degrees C) for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
• Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid using alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.
• Consider using over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve symptoms. Children younger than 19 years old should not be given aspirin to treat the flu.
• Check with your healthcare provider about any special care you might need if you are pregnant or have an underlying health condition.
• Tell you doctor if you've had flu-like symptoms or felt ill after returning from destinations with health travel advisories.
• Consider antiviral medications. Antivirals are prescription medicines used to treat the flu when people are very sick or at high risk of flu-related complications. In order to work, they must be started within 2 days after getting sick. During a pandemic, antivirals may be prioritized for people at high risk of serious flu complications. MORE

When to Seek Medical Care

Most people who get the flu will have mild illness and will recover without needing medical care or antiviral drugs. However, children younger than five years old have a high risk of complications like ear infections and pneumonia from the flu. Infants and young children with flu may have fever and seem very tired, but may not have cough or other symptoms. Do not give children younger than 19 years old aspirin to treat the flu.

Consider calling your doctor for advice if you get sick with flu-like symptoms and are at high risk for flu-related complications or if you have any questions or concerns about your illness. Your doctor can advise you over the phone if you need to come in for an appointment or start taking antiviral drugs. People who do not need to be seen by a doctor can be treated for the flu at home.

Emergency Warning Signs

Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you have any of the following signs or symptoms.

Children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing;
• Bluish color on skin or around mouth and lips;
• Dehydration (no tears, dried lips and mouth, not drinking enough fluids);
• Not waking up or not interacting;
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held;
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough;
• Fever with a rash.

Adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;
• Sudden dizziness;
• Confusion;
• Severe or persistent vomiting.