Prevent the spread of flu this season by planning ahead Published Oct. 22, 2009 By 1st Lt. Kathleen Ferrero Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command is protecting its personnel against the spread of influenza-like illness as the United States continues to see an increase in flu cases this season. Forty-one states report widespread influenza activity, and visits to doctors for flu-like illness are higher than levels expected for this time of the year, according to an Oct. 9 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost all of the flu viruses identified so far are 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses, the report stated. Although AMC operations have not been impacted by flu, 2009 H1N1 continues to target young, healthy adults - "the core of our force," said Col. Carol Fisher, AMC's public health officer. Individuals and supervisors are on the front lines of preserving the mission by taking steps to prevent the spread of flu and plan for absenteeism. Get Vaccinated The first and most important step is to get vaccinated for both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu strains, Colonel Fisher said. So far, more than 68 percent of AMC active duty members have received seasonal flu vaccines, and active duty vaccines for 2009 H1N1 are planned to arrive at AMC bases in Mid-November, she said. HIN1 vaccine for dependents is being provided by the state. Dependents' H1N1 vaccines are currently being shipped to military bases by state agencies, and AMC bases have already started receiving them, Colonel Fisher said. Base public health offices may prioritize who can get vaccines based on the number they have available at the time. Those considered as being at high risk for complications if they become infected with influenza will top the list. To find out who can receive a vaccine, personnel can call the base immunizations clinic. To find out who qualifies as high-risk, personnel can contact their health care provider. Practice Good Hygiene The flu spreads through droplets that come from the nose and mouth, primarily through sneezing and coughing, according to the CDC Web site. To guard against infecting others, people should frequently wash their hands; cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing; avoid touching their face; and disinfect commonly used work surfaces after touching them. However, if someone's sick, they should be at home. If You're Sick, Stay Home "This flu is transmitted so easily that if you come to work sick, you could very easily take the whole office out," the AMC public health officer said. CDC advises those displaying flu-like symptoms to stay home until they have gone fever-free for at least 24 hours without taking fever reducing medication. However, each wing commander will establish a local quarters/convalescent leave policy for their airmen that they must follow. If an individual or their child exhibit flu-like symptoms, they should not immediately go to their medical facility without first speaking to someone on their medical team. Individuals should also know the warning signs that indicate they should seek medical attention immediately (see below). This prevents the flu from spreading at medical facilities. However, if a child or someone considered "high risk" exhibits flu-like symptoms, their health care provider should be contacted immediately to determine whether to prescribe antiviral medication. Antiviral drugs, when indicated, should be started within 48 hours of symptom onset, Colonel Fisher said. Plan Ahead for Mission Preservation "The spread of flu-like illness could lead to significant absenteeism - whether 10 days or two weeks - and supervisors really need to prepare for that, not just to protect their people, but for continuance of the mission," said Mr. Gary Phipps, chief of AMC's Counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Plans. Supervisors can help preserve the mission through education; purchasing preventive health items; and practicing social distancing. Educating personnel on flu prevention is supervisors' first step toward preserving the mission this flu season. The CDC Web site www.cdc.gov/flu has the most up-to-date material. Secondly, the Air Force has approved the purchase of preventive health items for common areas within the workplace using existing unit funds, according to an Oct. 2 memo from the Air Force Surgeon General's office. Items that are approved for purchase include alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wipes; facial tissues; and no-touch disposable receptacles. Disinfectant and disposable towels can also be purchased to clean work station surfaces. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, supervisors need to exercise social distancing methods. These include sending sick people home and setting up capabilities to work separate from others when necessary, such as teleworking via Virtual Private Network on government laptops. This also includes having plans in place to prioritize essential functions over non-essential functions when flu-infected workers are absent. "Unfortunately, there are still people out there with the old-school mindset, 'I can't stay home from work because of a little flu-like illness," Colonel Fisher said. "But the 'tough it out' mentality is something we've got to do away with." As individuals and supervisors continue to take preventive health measures and plan responsibly, the mission will endure. Flu Facts The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that may include these symptoms: · Fever · Headache · Extreme tiredness · Cough · Sore throat · Runny or stuffy nose · Body aches In adults, emergency warning signs include: · Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen · Sudden dizziness · Confusion · Severe or persistent vomiting · Flu-like symptoms return with fever and worse cough In children, emergency warning signs include: · Fast breathing or trouble breathing · Bluish or gray skin color · Not drinking enough fluids · Severe or persistent vomiting · 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 worse cough For more information, visit the CDC Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.