Special Needs Neighborhood.com Blog

Are you thinking about how to protect your family this year from the flu virus?  If so, the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities offers the following information and advice about how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones:

“Flu is caused by the highly contagious influenza virus and usually spread by respiratory secretions. Individuals are at a significant risk for developing severe and potentially lethal complications from flu if they have significant cognitive disabilities, difficulties with swallowing their secretions, challenges with coughing and excreting respiratory secretions, or impaired musculoskeletal systems (i.e., cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, severe scoliosis).

Importantly, individuals in close contact with others, as well as individuals who exhibit challenges with hygiene measures, such as difficulties using tissues when coughing or sneezing, increased oral secretions, mouthing type behaviors, etc., may require additional attention during this time of year.

With rare exception, everyone who helps support individuals with developmental disabilities can play an important role in reducing serious illness and possibly death by considering a few important facts.

General Information:

* People at greatest risk are Individuals with chronic illness (diabetes, heart problems, Etc)
* Many individuals with complex disabilities
* Individuals residing in congregate settings
* All people 65 and older.
* Following vaccination, it takes approximately two weeks to develop immunity.
* Vaccination will not protect you 100% from getting the flu -but the more people immunized, the better chance we have of protecting our families, communities and people we serve.
* Remember, vaccination for flu will not protect you from other common infections during the flu season.

How can you help?

* Ensure that good hygiene efforts are supported
* Use tissues when coughing/sneezing
* Wash hands frequently and sanitize community areas and shared objects
* Protect individuals from respiratory and oral secretions
* Stay home when you have flu-like symptoms and help protect others from individuals who manifest flu-like symptoms.
* Seek Medical attention promptly for yourself and individuals you serve, when you suspect the flu – there are effective medications available that help reduce the spreading the flu, decrease chances of serious secondary illnesses and reduce the duration of flu symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Flu:

* Fever
* Muscle ache
* Dry cough
* Extreme tiredness
* Stuffy or runny nose
* Sore throat
* Headache

Complications of Flu
* Viral pneumonia
* Worsening of chronic illnesses
* Bacterial pneumonia
* Organ failure
* Death
* Protection Against the Flu:

For ongoing updated Information go to:

Center for Disease Control Swine Flu Information:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm

Pandemic Flu Preparedness: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ .”

Editor’s Note: This information was prepared by Angela English, LPC, LMFT, Executive Director, Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities.  See,  http://governor.state.tx.us/disabilities.  It’s reprinted here.

Did you enjoy Advice for Flu Prevention for People with Disabilities? Subscribe to RSS Feed.

Social Bookmarking