Flu Season Off To an Early Start

The CDC has reported that flu season is off to an early start in the U.S. Typically, flu season peaks around January or February, but the agency began to see significant increases in flu activity beginning in late November. 

According to the CDC's most recent FluView influenza surveillance report, dated December 22, 31 states have reported widespread flu activity. There was also an increase in outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI). 

The CDC recommends that anyone six months or older get the flu vaccine to lessen their chances of contracting the illness. The agency also recommends taking the following steps to help prevent flu and other respiratory infections from spreading throughout your facility: 

1. Post signs around the facility to instruct residents and visitors to alert staff members if they have any symptoms of a respiratory infection.
2. Ensure that hand hygiene and other necessary items are within easy reach.
   • Place alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers in convenient locations throughout your building.
   • Provide tissues and no-touch receptacles for disposing of used tissues.
   • Make sure that supplies for handwashing (i.e., soap and disposable towels) are readily available at all sinks.
3. Encourage residents, staff and visitors to perform proper respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. This entails:
   • Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (to download a handy "Cover Your Cough" poster from the CDC, click here).
   • Placing used tissues in the closest waste receptacle after use.
   • Performing hand hygiene (with alcohol-based hand rub, antiseptic handwash or non-antimicrobial soap and water) after having contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated objects or surfaces.
4. Offer masks to residents who are coughing to contain respiratory secretions.
5. Advise your staff to observe Droplet Precautions (i.e., wearing a mask during close contact) in addition to Standard Precautions when they are with residents who have symptoms of a respiratory infection, particularly if a fever is present.