Preparing for Flu Season in 2021

By: Krystle Johnson MSN, RN, CIC Emory Healthcare What is Influenza?

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus and it can infect the nose, throat, and lungs. People can suffer from a mild to severe case of the flu and complications from the flu can in some cases lead to death. Those individuals at a higher risk for complications from the flu include adults over the age of 65 years, pregnant women, young children, individuals who are immune compromised and those with underlying medical conditions, such as, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and kidney disease (6). Symptoms of the flu can be similar to symptoms of COVID and the common cold. Below you will find symptoms for influenza compared to COVID and the common cold (it is important to note, with any of the below you may not experience all the listed symptoms, or you may have a symptom that is not listed):

Flu (3) COVID-19 (4) Cold (5)

Fever Cough Fever Cough

Fever (unusual) Cough

Sore Throat Sore Throat Sore Throat Runny or Stuffy Nose Runny or Stuffy Nose Runny or Stuffy Nose Muscle or body aches Muscle or body aches Watery Eyes Headaches Headaches Post Nasal Drip Fatigue Fatigue Nausea or Vomiting Diarrhea Loss of smell or taste

Is flu still important?

The answer is YES! The flu is still very important to consider and plan for. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) estimated that during the 2019-2020 influenza season that there were approximately 38 million illnesses, 18 million medical visits, 405,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths (1). I hear you saying ok, but what about last year when no one had the flu? Well in 2020, there was a decline in influenza cases in the U.S. due to the 3 W’s (washing your hands, watching your distance, and wearing your mask) that were encouraged for protection from COVID. Once this guidance is no longer strictly adhered to, you will begin to see influenza and other respiratory illnesses in the community become more prevalent.

Preparing for the coming Flu season will also maintain your preparedness for COVID and the common cold. The following are the top ways to prepare for what lies ahead (2):

1. Encourage vaccination.

a. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu.

b. Hold a flu vaccine clinic. i. When holding a flu vaccine clinic besure to follow the most up to date CDC guidance on masking and social distancing for COVID.

2. Encourage respiratory etiquette and frequent hand hygiene.

a. Cover your cough and sneezes.

b. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when hands are visibly soiled, before eating and after using the restroom. Otherwise, encourage staff to use alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

3. Purchase supplies.

a. Ensure you have tissues, masks, soap, alcohol based hand sanitizer, and environmental disinfectants available.

b. If you have a respiratory etiquette station, ensure you have a trash can nearby and hand sanitizer. a. Elevator buttons, door knobs, light switches, shared work stations, lunch rooms, etc.

5. Review sick leave and work from home policies.

a. Sick employees should stay home, or if they become ill at work they should be asked to go home until they are well. i. The CDC recommends being 24 hours fever free, off of fever reducing medication, such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen, before returning to work.

b. Consider making them flexible.

c. Ensure employees know the process to follow when they or a family member are home sick with a respiratory virus. i. This can include flu, influenza like illness (ILI), COVID, etc. ii. Who do they notify, is it a paid absence, when can they return, etc.?

d. During flu season can some employee’s transition back to working remotely if they have returned to the office?

6. Ensure you have a way to receive your local influenza, ILI and COVID case rates.

a. This will help prepare for staffing- if you have high rates in your community, it is likely that your business, either staff or customers, will be affected.

b. If you are unsure on where to receive this data, connect with your local health department or refer to the CDC website.