Influenza Facts
Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
TRUE OR FALSE?
TRUE
Name two benefits of getting the influenza vaccine?
It reduces the risk of serious flu complications, hospitalization, and death
Reduces the burden on the health care system
It is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older
It is free for anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Ontario
Does not cause the flu
What additional precautions would you place on a resident if they suddenly developed a new cough and fever?
Droplet + Contact Precautions (gloves, gown, well-fitted mask, eye protection)
The flu shot can give you the flu.
TRUE OR FALSE
FALSE
When is it safe for a staff member to return to work after developing respiratory symptoms?
Symptomatic staff should be excluded from the institution until afebrile without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms have been resolving for at least 24 hours.
What additional precautions are required for a resident with influenza?
Droplet/Contact Precautions
Is it safe to get the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine together?
Yes, it is safe to get the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time.
What is a point-of-care risk assessment (POCRA)?
A PCRA assesses the task, the client/patient/resident, and the environment to identify the most appropriate precautions that needs to be taken for that interaction or task.
If I am pregnant, I shouldn’t get the flu vaccine.
TRUE OR FALSE
FALSE
Pregnant women should especially get the flu vaccine since their immune systems are weaker than usual (WHO). The inactivated flu vaccine is safe at any stage of pregnancy.
Cases cannot leave their room while on Additional Precautions even if they can tolerate a mask?
TRUE OR FALSE
False
Cases may leave their room while on Droplet and Contact Precautions if they are able to perform HH and consistently wear a well-fitted medical mask.
Name 4 symptoms of the influenza (flu)
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Sore throat
- General aches and pain
- Runny nose
- Loss of appetite
What are some contradictions and precautions for the influenza vaccine?
Persons with a history of serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of influenza vaccine, and/or
Persons with proven immediate or anaphylactic hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the vaccine, except for egg.
What is a contact time?
The time that a disinfectant must be in contact with a surface or device to ensure that appropriate disinfection has occurred. The surface must remain wet for the required contact time.
Contact time for Oxivir Wipes is 1 minute.
Individuals who receive the flu shot, can still get the flu?
TRUE OR FALSE
TRUE
If a person who is vaccinated develops the disease, it will be less severe. Becoming infected after being vaccinated is known as a "breakthrough infection" and can happen for different reasons, like contracting a variant not covered by the vaccine, waning protection, or not having enough time to build immunity post-vaccine. It is important to note that the vaccine does not cause the disease.
Name 4 IPAC practices to implement during a respiratory outbreak.
- Increased and frequent environmental cleaning
- Masking on outbreak floors
- Increase hand hygiene
- PPE donning prior to entering a droplet/contact precaution room
- Monitor residents for signs and symptoms; POCRA
- Maintain 2 meters between residents in a shared room
- Use physical barriers (e.g., curtains) in a shared room
- Provide education to visitors on the importance of wearing PPE prior to entering the resident
- Tray service to resident rooms
Name three serious complications and outcomes of the flu
1. Worsening of chronic health conditions
2. Heart Complications
3. Pneumonia and respiratory failure
4. Hospitalization
5. Death
When is the best time to administer Tamiflu to a resident, and what is the purpose of this antiviral medication?
Tamiflu for influenza is most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptoms onset, preparation work includes creatine clearance.
It works by attacking the flu virus to keep it from multiplying in your body and by reducing symptoms.
What is the difference between droplet and contact transmission?
DROPLET: Droplet transmission occurs when droplets carrying an infectious agent exit the respiratory tract (e.g., talking, coughing, sneezing, respiratory procedures).
CONTACT: Direct contact occurs through physical contact with an infected individual. Indirect contact occurs when microorganisms are transferred via contaminated objects.
Once you’ve had COVID-19 or the flu, you don’t need the vaccine. True or False?
TRUE OR FALSE
FALSE
The vaccines give you longer-lasting protection that the immunity gained from infection, so it is recommended that you still receive the vaccines.
Post COVID-19 infection:
- Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals should wait 8 weeks (4-8 weeks if immunocompromised) before their next dose.
- Those fully vaccinated who test positive should wait at least 3 months before receiving another COVID-19 vaccine dose
Post Influenza infection:
- People with symptoms of a severe illness should wait until they feel better to get their flu shot. Do not delay vaccination for minor illness (with or without fever).
Cases (ill residents) should be encouraged to stay in their room and should be on Droplet and Contact Precautions until 5 days after the onset of acute illness or until symptoms have resolved (whichever is shorter).
TRUE OR FALSE
TRUE
How long can someone with influenza spread the virus to others?
If you become infected with the flu, you can spread the virus to others from 1 day before, to about 5 days after your first symptoms. You're most contagious in the first 3 days after the start of your symptoms. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer.
Name three Influenza vaccines offered in Ontario.
Q: Name three Influenza vaccines offered in Ontario?
1. Trivalent or Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (TIV)
Protects against 3 strains. Two strains of influenza A (H1N1, H3N2) and one of influenza B (Victoria/Croatia/Austria). Can be given to individuals 6 months and older.
2. High-Dose Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (QIV-HD)
Contains 4 times the antigen (virus protein) compared to the standard-dose trivalent inactivated vaccine. A higher antigen dose stimulates a stronger immune response. This vaccine can be provided to adults ages 65 years and older.
3. Adjuvanted Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (TIV-adj)
This vaccine contains the standard amount of antigen but includes an adjuvant. An adjuvant is a substance added to a vaccine that helps the recipient develop an improved immune response compared to receiving an unadjuvanted vaccine. The adjuvant enhances the immune response by improving antigen presentation and activating the innate. This is available to adults 65 years and older.
What is the difference between Routine Practices and Additional Precautions?
Routine Practices are based on the premise that all clients/patients/residents are potentially infectious, even when asymptomatic, and that these standards of practice should be used routinely during all care (e.g., hand hygiene, POCRA, cleaning and disinfection).
Additional Precautions refer to IPAC interventions (e.g., PPE, accommodation, additional environmental cleaning) to be used in addition to Routine Practices to protect staff and clients/patients/residents by interrupting transmission of suspected or identified infectious agent; Based on presenting symptoms, droplet and contact or airborne precautions can be implemented
The influenza strains that circulate each year may differ from the strains included in the vaccine. Even if the vaccine strains don't perfectly match, the vaccine can still provide some protection.
Although a less than ideal match between the vaccine strain(s) and circulating strain(s) may result in reduced vaccine effectiveness, even mismatched vaccines can generally provide some protection against circulating influenza viruses. Influenza vaccines also protect against multiple strains, therefore, if one strain in the vaccine is not a good match, there are other flu strains in the vaccine which may still be a good match to circulating virus strains.
When will Public Health declare the influenza outbreak to be over?
Viral respiratory outbreaks may be declared over if no new cases have occurred in 8 days from the onset of symptoms of the last resident case.