Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Fall 2018

The seasonal shift to fall and the start of school means another thing: Flu season is just around the corner. “Flu season is when we see people coming in with signs of flu, typically November through April,” says Bartlett Infection Preventionist Charlee Gribbon, RN, BSN, CCRN. “Flu activity is highest from the third week of January through mid-March.” According to the state of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services: “Flu seasons are unpredictable and can range from mild to severe. Alaska typically has sporadic flu activity year-round, some of it related to our robust tourism season.” The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. Q What does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend? A Everyone six months and older is recommended for annual flu vaccination with rare exceptions. Q When are flu shots typically recommended? A In the months of September or October, before you have the chance to be exposed to a flu virus. Fall means FLU SEASON is near QUESTIONS? Get more information here: www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/ high_risk.htm www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/ whoshouldvax.htm In Juneau, flu vaccines are available at the Juneau Public Health Center, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, Safeway and Fred Meyer. Contact your health care provider for other possible options or more information. Protect yourself and others Three actions help your chances of avoiding the flu or lessening its severity: w w Get vaccinated. w w Take other preventive measures, such as washing your hands frequently. w w Take antivirals if you get sick. It will help reduce the severity of your illness. And it’s not just about you—protecting yourself from the flu also helps protect vulnerable people that you may come into contact with. Many people get sick and recover in about two weeks, but those who have asthma or congestive heart failure are at an increased risk of death if they get the flu. Be aware and protect yourself and others. Healthy habits—like washing your hands, getting daily exercise and eating healthy foods— will help make you more resilient and keep illness from spreading around you. According to the CDC, the 2017–2018 season ranked as a bad flu season. Local- ized or sporadic flu activity may continue for a number of weeks. CDC recommends prompt treatment with influenza antiviral medications for people who are severely ill and people who are at high risk of severe complications. Infection Preventionist Charlee Gribbon, RN, BSN, CCRN, gives CEO Chuck Bill his flu shot. All Bartlett employees are required to get a flu vaccination annually. www.bartletthospital.org 13