Posted by Ken Accardi on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 @ 07:22 AM
Today, NAHC shared the following information about National Influenza Vaccination Week that is going on now and we're publishing it here to help spread the word to the home care, private duty and DME companies who follow our blog.
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. This year's NIVW (originally scheduled for December 6-10, 2009) will be held January 10-16, 2010. Visit www.Flu.gov/getvaccinated for more information.
Since the spread of 2009 H1N1 influenza is likely to continue into the new year, NIVW will be an important opportunity to promote uptake of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination at a time when demand for vaccine usually drops significantly. While influenza is unpredictable, and while we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of H1N1 influenza, we do know that if more people are vaccinated, the disease is less likely to spread in the coming months.
One of the many goals for NIVW is to engage at-risk audiences who are not yet vaccinated, hesitant about vaccination, or unsure about where to get vaccinated. Every year, certain days during NIVW are designated to highlight the importance for certain groups, like health care workers and children, to get vaccinated. This year's national schedule is as follows:
Day Focus
- Sunday, January 10 Kickoff
- Monday, January 11 General audience and health care workers
- Tuesday, January 12 People with chronic health conditions that put them at high risk of serious influenza-related complications
- Wednesday, January 13 Children, pregnant women, and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old
- Thursday, January 14 Young adults (19 to 24 years old)
- Friday, January 15 Seniors
- Saturday, January 16 Wrap-up
Below is a link to our popular post that explains how to tell the difference between the H1N1 virus and a cold. To learn more about software for home care efficiency, software for private duty care telephony and software to help improve DME delivery operational excellence, please contact us.
Posted by Ken Accardi on Fri, Nov 06, 2009 @ 10:43 AM
Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms
|
Symptom |
Cold |
H1N1 Flu |
|
Fever |
Fever is rare with a cold. |
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu. |
|
Coughing |
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. |
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough). |
|
Aches |
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. |
Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu. |
|
Stuffy Nose |
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. |
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu. |
|
Chills |
Chills are uncommon with a cold. |
60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills. |
|
Tiredness |
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. |
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu. |
|
Sneezing |
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. |
Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu. |
|
Sudden Symptoms |
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. |
The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. |
|
Headache |
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. |
A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases. |
|
Sore Throat |
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. |
Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu. |
|
Chest Discomfort |
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. |
Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu. |
The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.