Posts Tagged ‘cover your cough’

AZ Child Dies from Flu

May 18th, 2012

Most people think that when the weather warms up, we can stop worrying about the flu.  But it’s still here.  Recently, a young Gila County child died from influenza.  It’s the only pediatric death from flu in Arizona this year, last year 5 children under 18 died.  Adult flu deaths are not tracked by the state.

This year’s flu season hit later and was lighter than last years. But it is still circulating so you need know what to do if you get the flu.  It’s much worse than a cold with a high fever, achiness, cough, and tiredness.  The main distinction from a cold is how fast you get sick.  A cold develops and the flu hits you quickly.

The best thing you can do about the flu is stay home if you’re feeling sick.  Be sure to cover your cough and wash your hands.

 

Fighting Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

March 31st, 2010

Some of the best infection control experts are laying out the plan on how to fight Healthcare-Associated Infections in the next decade.  The International Conference on HAIs just wrapped up in Atlanta – it marked the first time that four leading scientific organizations committed to infection prevention are working together to further a scientific and educational agenda toward elimination of HAIs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiologists of America (SHEA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) spent five days discussing various types of infections and how to curb them.  You can read  more about the conference online.

Some research shows there are some low-tech ways to cut down the possibility of HAIs – doing a quick nasal swab before surgery and using a different cleanser on the skin before surgery.  These simple steps and a long term plan can make a difference in protecting those in hospitals. You can help prevent these infections when you go to visit someone in a healthcare facility by using good personal hygiene, like washing your hands and covering your cough.