The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 5 percent to 20 percent of Americans contract the flu virus each year. Because many of these people seek medical advice for their infections, health care workers find themselves at the front lines of every outbreak. In the "Take Three Actions to Fight Flu Campaign," the CDC describes its strategy for flu prevention for health care workers and others.
Get Annual Flu Shot
Step 1
Ask your employer if flu vaccine clinics will be scheduled for employees. Large hospitals and clinics often offer free flu shots to health care workers. If not, contact your local public health department or visit the CDC web site for information on the availability of the vaccine in your area.
Step 2
Review the flu vaccine information statements at the CDC web site. The statements describe indications, contraindications and warnings for people with allergies. As a health care worker, other health care workers may assume that you already know this information when you ask for a vaccination.
Step 3
Bring your health insurance information, if requested, as well as an employee and state ID, such as a driver's license, to your flu shot appointment in case they are required.
Practice Good Health Habits
Step 1
Wash hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after you provide patient care; touch your nose, mouth or eyes; or eat.
Step 2
Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes as much as possible. Many people touch their face with their hands or other objects such as pens unconsciously or as part of a habit, such as nibbling on pens. Try to shake such habits because they put you at risk for flu as well as other diseases.
Step 3
Wear a mask when working with people with respiratory diseases or known exposure to the flu. A 2009 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that N95 respirators prevented slightly more infections than surgical masks, but surgical masks were still superior to no protection at all.
Step 4
Clean or discard objects such as linens or eating utensils that have been used by a sick person before returning them to household or workplace use. The CDC specifically advises against the practice of "hugging" dirty linens when you collect them because this results in the transfer of bacteria and viruses to your body and clothing.
Step 5
Periodically wipe high-traffic, yet often overlooked surfaces such as phone receivers and door knobs with sanitizing solution. Health care facilities maintain abundant supplies of sanitizer wipes. Purchase wipes for home use.
Take Antiviral Drugs (If Prescribed)
Step 1
Review your personal health history, including allergies to medications, and prepare a list of medications you take regularly, including vitamins and dietary supplements. According to MedlinePlus, it's especially important to note whether or not you are pregnant or currently trying to become pregnant; have heart, lung, liver, kidney or immune system disease; or have taken flu antiviral drugs in the past because this information may affect the dose and type of antiviral drugs a physician recommends.
Step 2
Contact your personal physician or the employee health office of your employer if you suspect that you have been exposed to the flu virus. Keep the information you recorded in step one in front of you when you call because you may be asked about this personal data over the phone. In many cases, a provider will be willing to issue a prescription to a health care worker without requiring an appointment, but be prepared for any scenario.
Step 3
Bring your insurance card, employer ID, driver's license, a method of payment and your personal health information with you.
Step 4
Fill the prescription, if you receive one. Ask the pharmacist for any recommendations. For oseltamivir, the pharmacist will likely advise taking the medication with food to reduce the risk of upset stomach. Zanamivir is inhaled through the mouth using a plastic device called a "disk-haler." If you have not taken zanamivir in the past, you should ask for instructions on how to use the device properly.
Tips and Warnings
- Ask your health care provider for a prescription for flu antiviral drugs during your next routine visit. That way, you have one handy should you need it. For maximum effectiveness, flu antiviral drugs should be taken as soon as possible after exposure occurs.
Things You'll Need
- Insurance card
- Employee and state identification card
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Tissues
- Method of payment
References
- CDC: Take Three Actions To Fight Flu
- Journal of the American Medical Association; "Surgical mask vs. N95 respirator for preventing influenza among health care workers"; Loeb et al.; 2009
- MedlinePlus: Oseltamivir
- MedlinePlus: Zanamivir Inhalation
- CDC: Good Health Habits for Preventing Seasonal Flu
