Help Minimize The Spread Of Influenza With These Tips From The CDC

1/22/2022 (Permalink)

The highly-trained and experienced team at SERVPRO of Kankakee County is ready to help with infectious agent cleanup! Call us today!

Influenza is a contagious disease with potentially severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death, in some cases. In our Kankakee community, administrators and managers of schools and other buildings welcoming the public want to get ahead of the infectious curve. Great strides toward protecting students, families, and school staff, as well as the general population, definitely are within the power of school administrators and commercial managers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer practical strategies for all at risk in these settings.

"Take  3" According to the CDC

The CDC recommends three research-based protocols to protect people across all environments from catching and spreading influenza. Taking the time to communicate these health and life-saving strategies to students, staff, and families in our schools pay big dividends by involving all affected individuals and giving each the power to improve their odds against influenza.

Immunize

Yearly flu vaccines are the initial and critical step individuals and families can take to protect themselves and others against the viruses that cause influenza. Year-round research by more than 100 countries' national influenza centers provides globally relevant surveillance for influenza. Five World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers for Reference and Research on Influenza meet twice yearly in February (Northern Hemisphere) and September (Southern Hemisphere) to review data and make suggestions on the viruses to include in the new influenza season's vaccine. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ultimately makes the decision on which viruses to include in our country's yearly vaccine.

Commonsense Preventative Measures

Families and their students, school staff, and those who interact in other commercial settings have a range of practical strategies that make a big difference in preventing the spread of influenza.

• Avoid close contact with those infected with influenza
• Limit contact by those infected with others
• Stay home during the flu, waiting at least 24 hours post-fever except to get medical care or for other necessities
• Cover either mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, disposing of tissues in the trash
• Wash hands frequently, using both soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable
• Do not touch eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces possibly contaminated

Take an Antiviral Medication

If prescribed by a medical professional, an antiviral drug taken early can shorten the duration of influenza and make symptoms milder. People with higher risk factors such as the elderly and very young or the immunosuppressed might avoid hospitalization and severe complications.

The highly-trained and experienced team at SERVPRO of Kankakee County is ready to help with infectious agent cleanup in schools and other commercial buildings. Call us at (815) 935-0077 to discuss your options.