By Paul Diamond, Web Editor, Vistage International
The recent outbreak of H1N1 flu (swine flu) has many business owners concerned for their employees’ health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released detailed information on H1N1 flu and says the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of the common influenza virus. The good news is that most people who become infected with H1N1 flu will recover without hospitalization or long-term complications.
Symptoms
The most common H1N1 flu symptoms include:
- Cough
- Congestion
- Nasal Congestion
- Body aches
- Joint Pains
- Fever
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Decreased energy
Those who are immune-compromised, older or pregnant may be at higher risk of complications or serious respiratory illness.
Transmission
This strain of H1N1 flu is believed to be transmitted, like other human viral flus, by casual contact or through the air by sneezes or coughs. Touching or eating pork products will not transmit this flu.
According to the CDC infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you’re sick, as well as while you are sick.
Prevention
Here are actions people can take to help prevent getting or spreading the flu virus:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
- If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
What to do if you suspect you have H1N1 flu
If you live in areas where H1N1 flu cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your physician. Your doctor will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
Treatment
Currently, we are at the tail end of our normal flu season, and most people with flu symptoms simply have a viral infection and not the H1N1 flu. Maintaining adequate hydration is highly important if you contract any viral illness.
If you contract the H1N1 flu, there are two flu medications which can be helpful. The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with H1N1 flu. The CDC says that the antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine will not work against H1N1 flu.
Young people under the age of 18 with fever or flu symptoms should not be given Aspirin or aspirin-containing products (such as bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
Travel
Susan Locke, M.D., Medical Director of Vistage Healthnetwork, discourages any nonessential travel to Mexico at this time. “If someone needs to go for business,” she said, “I would recommend seeing his/her physician prior to leaving and to get a prescription filled for either Tamiflu® or Relenza, both of which are effective against H1N1 flu. These should be started at the onset of any flu-like symptoms.”
For those who have recently traveled to Mexico and have any flu-like symptoms, Susan recommends they go to their physician immediately and get tested for H1N1 flu.
The Vistage Healthnetwork is available to assist all U.S. Vistage members and their families with preventative testing and treatment for all health concerns.
H1N1 Flu Vaccine
Currently, no vaccine is available to help prevent the H1N1 flu. For those who received the flu vaccine this year, it does not offer protection against the H1N1 flu.
Sample Message for Your Employees
To help prevent an outbreak of flu or H1N1 flu within your organization, establish a “do not come to work” policy for employees who report flu-like symptoms. The policy you adopt should be clearly communicated to your employees both in writing and verbally by managers. Below is a sample announcement which Vistage members can use or modify.
As news continues to emerge about the outbreak of H1N1 flu, we want to be sure that everyone at our company is equipped with the best information about how to cope with this potentially serious disease.
Our official company policy until further notice is that all employees who are sick with cold or flu-like symptoms should either work from home or take PTO and stay at home until symptoms are gone.
Business operations are normal at the present time; our office is open for business. All employees should report to the office according to their normal work schedule. We are carefully monitoring the evolving H1N1 flu outbreak. If you or someone in your family is ill with the flu please stay home until all symptoms have cleared.
Business Best Practices for your consideration:
Q. Should I stay home if I have flu symptoms?
A. Yes. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep spreading your illness to others. You should record that time as PTO.
Q. If I stay home because my child’s school or daycare is closed or because a family member has the flu, how will my pay be handled?
A. If your job allows and with your manager’s approval, you can work from home for this period.
Q. What if my job doesn’t allow me to work from home?
A. You should record that time as PTO.
Q. Where can I find the most current information regarding how H1N1 flu is transmitted, treated and when one should see a doctor?
A. Refer to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm.
For more information see: Q&A from the Centers for Disease Control: Swine Influenza and You
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Reprinted with permission from Vistage International, a business growth mentoring organization.
