Health Services Training: FLU

It is our responsibility to detect and protect our individuals from contracting or spreading the flu. The information below will assist all SPIN employees to best practice in keeping our individuals as healthy as possible.


Detection:
Individuals could have some or all of these signs and symptoms:
•Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
•Cough
•Sore throat
•Runny or stuffy nose
•Muscle or body aches
•Headaches
•Fatigue (very tired)
•Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

*Call Health Services Triage or On-call to report any individual with s/s of the flu

Protection:
How flu spreads
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Once infected, the individual is contagious for 5 to 7 days after symptoms started.

Prevention of Spread to Others
If an individual is diagnosed with the flu at home special precautions must be made to prevent the spread to others in the home and staff.
•Proper Hand washing: the individuals and staff should wash their hands often, especially when in contact with the individual that has the flu.
•The flu is rarely spread by surfaces; it is usually spread by direct contact with the person that is infected.
      *The DSP should wear a mask when providing direct care. 
      *The individual should wear a mask (if possible) when they are around other people.
•Try to encourage the individual to rest in their own room. If there is more than one sick person, they can share the sick room if needed.
•If you have more than one bathroom, have the individual use one bathroom and well people use the other one.
•Give each sick person their own drinking glass, washcloth, and towel.
•Teach and encourage the individual proper cough etiquette (see picture below)