Stay Healthy with Vaccines and a Strong Immune System!

• Influenza, commonly known as ‘the flu’ is caused by influenza A or B viruses and is a respiratory illness.

• Symptoms usually last 2-7 days, sometimes longer in the elderly

• Cough and fatigue can last weeks

• Influenza is very contagious, you can spread the disease 24 hours before you become symptomatic and for about 5 days after symptom onset

The Disease

Modes of Transmission

Respiratory Droplet Transmission

• Droplets are generated when a sick person coughs or sneezes

• droplets can travel up to two meters(6.5 feet) in distance

• Droplets need to be inhaled by nearby individuals or land on their mouth or nose to transmit the virus

Contact Transmission

• Respiratory droplets can also contaminate surfaces or objects

– the flu virus can survive up to 48 hours on hard, non-porous surfaces such as stainless steel

• If an individual touches a surface or object contaminated with the flu virus and then touches their mouth or nose the virus can be transmitted

• Skin to skin contact including saliva (kissing and sharing drinks)

The Symptom Match Game

Influenza Symptoms

Treatment

• Antiviral treatment for influenza must be started within 48 hours(or less) of onset of symptoms for maximum effectiveness

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

• effective against influenza A and B

• Recommended drug of choice for both prophylaxis and treatment in an influenza outbreak

Zanimivir (Relenza)

• effective against influenza A and B

• Used when predominant circulating strain is resistant to Tamiflu

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent

influenza and its complications.

Who Should Get the Flu Shot

Who Should Get the Flu Shot

People at high risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalization:

• Those with chronic health conditions (including morbid obesity)

• All children 6 months of age to less than 5 years of age and those ≥ 65 years

• Healthy pregnant women

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has announced it is not recommending the nasal mist form of the flu vaccine for kids this flu season.

People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk:

• Household members of those at high risk

• Childcare providers

• Those who provide essential community services or within closed settings

Who Should Get the Flu Shot Cont’d…

Who Should NOT Get the Flu Shot

• Anyone who has previously experienced severe lower respiratory symptoms within 24 hours of vaccination

• Anyone allergic to any component of the vaccine

• Anyone who had a serious reaction to a previous flu shot

• Anyone who developed Oculo-respiratory syndrome (ORS) with lower respiratory tract symptoms*

• Anyone who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of previous influenza vaccination*

• Anyone with serious acute illness

• Egg allergic individuals

Effectiveness of the Flu Shot

• Protective antibody levels are generally achieved after 2 weeks following immunization:

• Response depends on several factors including age, prior exposure to antigens and presence of immune compromising conditions

Reduces doctor visits, hospitalizations, missed work and school days, deaths (3,600+ in 2013)

• Soreness at the injection site lasting up to 2 days

• Fever

• Muscle aches

Serious side effects are very rare.

Common reactions to the flu shot in adults:

Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site (usually lasts less than 2 days)

Other reactions are usually mild and can include a low grade fever and aches (can last 1-2 days)

Possible Side Effects from the Flu Shot

Hand hygiene plays a very important role in limiting the

spread of influenza.

Clean Your Hands!!!

• The best prevention against the flu is getting the annual flu shot

• You are protecting yourself and others by getting your annual flu shot

• Follow proper hand hygiene practices to prevent the spread of influenza (and other infections)

• Stay off work when ill (and seek medical attention if needed)

In Summary…

(2016, September 29). In Influenza. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/

Nutrition and the Immune System

Cooking Demonstration

Carianne Palumbo, MS, RDNEHHD Be Well

Great Advice: Eat More Fruits and Vegetables!

• Brighter color means more nutrients (sweet potatoes, oranges, carrots, lemons)

• Those with orange and yellow contain vitamin c and beta carotene (vitamin a) which help boost immune system

• Better to eat fruit and vegetables than just take a supplement

• The majority of our immune system functions in the gut

• Fruits and vegetables contain prebioitics which feed the good bacteria in our system

Butternut Squash Sauce with Immune Boosting Vegetables!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/butternut-mac-and-cheese/

Why These Vegetables for Our Immunity?

Ingredient Contains Function

Lemon Vitamin C Strengthen immune system and maintains pH balance in body

Butternut Squash Vitamin A (and C) Immune enhancers helping with antibody responses

Garlic Sulfuric compounds Antibiotic, anti-viral and fungicide characteristics

Broccoli Vitamin A and C Support a healthy immune system

Mushrooms Selenium and Vitamin B Antioxidant properties and DNA repair

Spinach Folate (and Vitamin C) Help make new cells and repair DNA

"10 Reasons to Eat Orange and Yellow Fruits and Veggies." A Healthier Michigan. Blue Cross Blue Shield, 29 Mar. 2011. Web. <http://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2011/03/29/10-reasons-to-eat-orange-and-yellow-fruits-and-veggies/>.

Jacobsen, Maryann T. "11 Foods for Your Immune System." WebMD. WebMD, 29 Oct. 2015. Web. <http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-immune-foods>.

"Selenium - Health Professional Fact Sheet." National Institute of Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 11 Feb. 2016. Web. <https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/>.

"Vitamin A — Health Professional Fact Sheet." National Institute of Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 Aug. 2016. Web. <https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/>.

References

Questions?

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