November 30, 2023- It’s that time of year again. We’re heading into the cold and flu season. The season usually gets underway in October and lasts through April. Timing varies from season to season; however, the peaks of each season generally occur December through February. Be prepared.
Preparation and planning are extremely important. A few great resources to use as barometers of flu activity are:
- FluView: www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm
- FluView Interactive: www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluviewinteractive.htm
These sites help track weekly flu activity, trends, what types of viruses are circulating, and help track where they are occurring.
To better prepare for the season, it is best to start off with how flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread person to person via aerosolized droplets when people sneeze or cough. The droplets usually travel up to six feet and come into contact either directly or indirectly with mucosal surfaces (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.). The droplets could be inhaled, land on another person, or a high touched surface. For reference, the National Institutes of Health did a study that indicated we touch our faces 23 times per hour.
Recommendations for healthcare professionals are to implement vaccination programs as well as the use of Universal Precautions to help break the chain of infection. Universal Precautions are considered the foundation of all infection prevention within a healthcare setting.
Read more in the latest issue of Repertoire Magazine