FAC T SHEET FOR PROVIDERS

A Health Campaign of Uniformed Services University, www.usuhs.edu, and theCenter for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Bethesda, Maryland, www.CSTSonline.org

Flu Season:

What Healthcare Providers Should Know
Early flu season is not just a time
opportunity to educate. If thepatient does agree but can’t
for routine vaccination. It presents anFlu season presents an opportunity
opportunity for healthcare providers
prioritize effectively, then you
for military healthcare providers
have a ‘teachable moment’ thatto fortify patient relationships
tofortifypatientrelationships
andengage
could impact their health in ways
and engage in patient-centered
far beyond the flu shot. Your wellprevention.
in patient-centered prevention.
timed intervention during thisAs the flu season progresses,
your opportunity to affect change‘teachable moment’ may help thepatient onto a path that better optimizes health following
increases as each passing day identifies those selectpatients who are either “not interested” or “too busy” toproven prevention strategies. Sometimes featuring theright assortment of educational media is all you need toget preventative vaccination. These patients are a risk tothemselves and to those around them. For this group, it
do! These well-timed interventions may help patients
follow their path of prevention strategies that optimize
may be useful to ask, “how can I help you improve yourhealth.
preventative planning?” If the patient doesn’t agree withrecommendations for immunization, then you have an
Flu Information for Medical Professionals
The following information is taken from Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention:■ Routine influenza vaccination is generally
recommended for all persons ≥ 6 months of age.
■ Influenza vaccination is especially important for
persons who may be at increased risk for medicalcomplications (i.e. adults > 65 years of age, pregnant
women, and people with certain medical conditions).
■ For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/index.htm.
Prevention Strategies for Health Care Settings
Core prevention strategies for preventing transmissionof influenza virus and other infectious agents within
healthcare settings include:■ Administration of influenza vaccine.
■ Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
■ Appropriate management of ill health care personnel(HCP).

■ Adherence to infection control precautions for

all patient-care activities and aerosol-generatingprocedures.
■ Implementing environmental and engineering infection
control measures.
Educating Patients About the Flu
The following information can be helpful to patientsand enhance family health.
■ Common symptoms of the flu include: fever (usuallyhigh), headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat,runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and gastrointestinal
symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea — morecommon in children).
■ Preventing the flu involves the following good healthhabits for the entire family: avoid close contact withpeople who are sick, don’t expose others to you or yourfamily if sick, wash your hands often with soap andwater or alcohol-based hand wipes to protect fromContinued

germs, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
■ If sick, get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, and avoid
using alcohol and tobacco.
■ Remind patients when taking medications to “Takeonly as directed.” Some patients may believe “if a little isgood, more is better.”

Resources:■■

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/
www.cdc.gov/flu

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org