is winter time and a patient comes to the clinic where you work to report flu-like symptoms

by Anthony Jakubowski 7 min read

Preventing the Spread of Flu in the Workplace | CDC

12 hours ago Everyone 6 months of age and older needs a flu vaccine. Employees are a crucial resource at any business. There are steps you can take now, and during the flu season, to help protect the health of your employees. Encourage all employees to get a seasonal flu vaccine each fall. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. >> Go To The Portal


Is the flu reportable?

Also, seasonal flu illness is not a reportable disease, and not everyone who gets sick with flu seeks medical care or gets tested for flu. To estimate the number of flu illnesses that occur in the United States each year, CDC uses mathematical modeling in combination with data from traditional flu surveillance systems.

What symptoms would require you to stay home from work?

When to stay home sick from workMedication impairs your thinking.Medication affects your driving.You are not getting better.It's contagious!You know you won't be productive.Sudden and unexplained body aches and pains, or body weakness.You are vomiting and/or have diarrhea.You can't sleep due to your symptoms.More items...

When should you refer to flu?

If you are otherwise healthy and not at increased risk of complications, seek medical advice if your flu symptoms are unusually severe, such as: Trouble breathing. A severe sore throat. A cough that produces a lot of green or yellow mucus.

What does the CDC consider flu season?

In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. While influenza viruses spread year-round, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, but activity can last as late as May.

Should I go to work if I have a cold during COVID-19?

No, do not go to work or class if you are feeling ill. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, stay home except to get tested so you don't spread the virus to others if you are positive for COVID-19. Stay home as you wait for your test results.

How do I know if I got a cold or COVID?

Our data shows that loss of smell (anosmia) or loss of taste is still one of the most important predictors of testing positive for COVID-19 rather than a regular cold, so it's an important symptom to look out for, whether you've been vaccinated or not.

Can I go to work with the flu?

Individuals with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 4-5 days after the onset of symptoms. Persons with the flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness. Sick employees should be asked to go home.

What are the first warning signs of the flu?

Early signs of the flu include:fatigue.sudden fever (usually above 100°F [38°C])scratchy or sore throat.cough.chills.muscle or body aches.runny nose.

When can I go back to work after having the flu?

Advise all employees to stay home if they are sick until at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines, or after symptoms have improved (at least 4-5 days after flu symptoms started).

Can you test positive for flu and Covid at the same time?

Yes, it's possible to test positive for the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, but experts say the chances of having a coinfection are very, very low.

Can you get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time?

Because flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses, yes, it's possible to become infected with both at the same time.

Why is flu season in the winter?

Winter is the most common season for contagious illnesses like the cold and flu. This is because the flu virus thrives in colder, drier air, and in the winter we're more likely to be huddled indoors with our loved ones, giving germs a short journey from person to person.

Definition of Healthcare Personnel

  • HCP refers to all persons, paid and unpaid, working in healthcare settings who have the potential for exposure to patients and/or to infectious materials, including body substances, contaminated medical supplies and equipment, contaminated environmental surfaces, or contaminated air. HCP include, but are not limited to, physicians, nurses, nursing ...
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Introduction

  • Influenza is primarily a community-based infection that is transmitted in households and community settings. Each year, 5% to 20% of U.S. residents acquire an influenza virus infection, and many will seek medical care in ambulatory healthcare settings (e.g., pediatricians’ offices, urgent-care clinics). In addition, more than 200,000 persons, on average, are hospitalized each y…
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Influenza Modes of Transmission

  • Traditionally, influenza viruses have been thought to spread from person to person primarily through large-particle respiratory droplet transmission(e.g., when an infected person coughs or sneezes near a susceptible person). Transmission via large-particle droplets requires close contact between source and recipient persons, because droplets generally travel only short dist…
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Fundamental Elements to Prevent Influenza Transmission

  • Preventing transmission of influenza virus and other infectious agents within healthcare settings requires a multi-faceted approach. Spread of influenza virus can occur among patients, HCP, and visitors; in addition, HCP may acquire influenza from persons in their household or community. The core prevention strategies include: 1. administration of influenza vaccine 2. implementation …
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Recommendations

  • 1. Promote and administer seasonal influenza vaccine Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent seasonal influenza infection. Achieving high influenza vaccination rates of HCP and patients is a critical step in preventing healthcare transmission of influenza from HCP to patients and from patients to HCP. According to current national guidelines, unless contraindica…
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Appendix: Additional Information About Influenza

  • Information about Facemasks: 1. FDA – Masks and N95 Respirators, FDAexternal icon 2. A facemask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. Facemasks may be labeled as surgical, laser, isolation, dental or medical procedure masks. They may come …
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