| Pandemic Planning for Individuals |
Influenza pandemics are different from many other major public health and health care threats in the world today. A pandemic usually last longer than most flu outbreaks and may include "waves" of influenza activity. Each outbreak may last 6-8 weeks separated by months. The number of health care workers and first responders able to work may be reduced. Public health officials will not know how severe a pandemic will be until it begins.
Differences Between the Seasonal & Pandemic Flu
|
Seasonal Flu |
Pandemic Flu |
| Caused by influenza viruses that are similar to those already circulating among people. | Caused by a new influenza virus that people have not been exposed to before. Likely to be more severe, affect more people, and cause more deaths than seasonal influenza because people will not have immunity to the new virus. |
| Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, and muscle pain. Deaths can be caused by complications such as pneumonia. | Symptoms similar to the common flu but may be more severe and complications more serious. |
| Healthy adults are usually not at risk for serious complications (very young, pregnant, elderly, and those with certain underlying health conditions are at increased risk for serious complications). | Healthy adults may be at increased risk for serious complications. |
| Every year in the United States, on average: • 5 - 20% of the population gets the flu; • More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and • About 36,000 people die from the flu. |
The effects of a severe pandemic could be much more damaging than those of a regular flu season. It could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life could be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery. |
The effects of a pandemic can be lessened if you prepare ahead of time. As you begin your individual or family planning, you review your state and local public health and emergency preparedness officials preparedness plans. State plans, planning checklists, family medical planning guides, and other planning information can be found at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/checklists.html.
Challenges
As you begin you begin your family plan for an influenza pandemic, think of the challenges you may face.
• Plan for the possibility that:
o usual services may be disrupted such as healthcare facilities, banks including ATMs, government offices, and cellular phone companies.
o Stores may close or have limited supplies.
o Transportation services may be disrupted or become unreliable.
o Public gatherings such as worship services, may be canceled.
o Fuel shortage may limit the ability to travel even by car.
o Food and Water Supplies May Be Interrupted or Limited.
Essential Planning
• Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
• Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
• Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
• Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
• Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
• Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.
1. Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:
| Examples of food and non-perishables | Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies |
| o Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups | o Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment |
| o Protein or fruit bars | o Soap and water, or alcohol-based (60-95%) hand wash |
| o Dry cereal or granola | o Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen |
| o Peanut butter or nuts | o Thermometer |
| o Dried fruit | o Anti-diarrheal medication |
| o Crackers | o Vitamins |
| o Canned juices | o Fluids with electrolytes |
| o Bottled water | o Cleansing agent/soap |
| o Canned or jarred baby food and formula | o Flashlight |
| o Pet food | o Batteries |
| o Other non-perishable items | o Portable radio |
| o Manual can opener | |
| o Garbage bags | |
| o Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers |
Going to Work May Be Difficult or Impossible:
• Ask your employer how business will continue during a pandemic.
• Discuss staggered shifts or working at home with your employer.
• Discuss telecommuting possibilities and needs, accessing remote networks, and using portable computers.
• Discuss possible flexibility in leave policies.
• Discuss with your employer how much leave you can take to care for yourself or a family member.
• Plan for possible loss of income if you are unable to work or the company you work for temporarily closes.
Schools and Daycare Centers May Be Closed for an Extended Period of Time:
Schools including colleges and universities and day care center may be closed to limit the spread of flu in the community and to help prevent children from becoming sick. Other school-related activities and services could also be disrupted or canceled such as school meals and athletic events. School closings would likely happen very early in a pandemic and could occur on short notice.
• Talk to your school about their pandemic plan and offer to help.
• Plan now for children staying at home for extended periods of time.
• Plan home learning activities and exercises that your children can do at home.
• Talk to school staff about activities children can do at home if schools are closed.
• Plan entertainment and recreational activities that your children can do at home.
Medical Care for People with Chronic Illness Could Be Disrupted:
In a severe pandemic, hospitals and doctors' offices may be overwhelmed.
• Continue taking medication as prescribed by your doctor, unless otherwise advised by your physician.
• Have necessary medical supplies and equipment available.
• Talk to your healthcare provider to ensure adequate access to your medications.
• If you receive ongoing medical care such as dialysis, chemotherapy, or other therapies, talk with your health care provider about plans to continue care during a pandemic.
Prevention
Stay Healthy
These steps may help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses such as the flu. Teach your children the same steps and model the correct behavior by:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away immediately.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based (60-95%) hand cleaner.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• When you become ill, keep your distance from others.
• If you get the flu, stay home.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.
Create a family emergency health plan by printing and using the forms below for each family member. This is also beneficial for other emergencies.
Family Member Information Form
Emergency Contact Information Form
Treatment
Vaccination
Vaccines are used to protect people from contracting a virus once a particular threat is identified. After an individual has been infected by a virus, a vaccine generally cannot help to combat it. Because viruses change over time, a specific pandemic influenza vaccine cannot be produced until a pandemic influenza virus emerges and is identified. Once a pandemic influenza virus has been identified, it will likely take 4-6 months to develop, test, and begin producing a vaccine. The supply of pandemic vaccine will be limited, particularly in the early stages of a pandemic.
Antivirals
A number of antiviral drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat and prevent seasonal influenza. Some of these antiviral medications may be effective in treating pandemic influenza. These drugs may help prevent infection in people at risk and shorten the duration of symptoms in those infected with pandemic influenza. However, it is unlikely that antiviral medications alone would effectively contain the spread of pandemic influenza. These drugs are available by prescription only.
• Knowing the facts is the best preparation.
• Identify sources you can count on for reliable information.
• Reliable, accurate, and timely information is available at
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
? www.pandemicflu.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
? www.cdc.gov or
? Hotline at: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
• Texas Department of State Health Services
? www.hshs.state.tx.us or
? Hotline at: 1-888-963-7111
• Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services
? http://www.hcphes.org/ or
? 1-713- 439-6000
• Animal Health – U.S. Department of Agriculture
? 1-202-720-4623
? Texas Animal Health Commission
? 1-800-550-8242
? www.tahc.state.tx.us
• Listen to the radio, watch the news on television, and read printed and web-based information.
• Talk to your local health care providers and public health officials.
Source:
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Pandemic Influenza - A guide for Individuals & Families. Get Informed. Be Prepared. September 13, 2006. http://pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/familyguide.html
Disclaimer: The information provided is for general use only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.