CareCorps^® Offers 2009 H1N1 Flu Resources

It's no ordinary flu season this year. With seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 flu, it's a double whammy that could leave employers in the lurch without advance planning.  Here are the basics of 2009 H1N1 flu and what employers should know.

2009 H1N1 flu virus is a pandemic, meaning it has spread globally.  That doesn't mean it's necessarily any more severe than the seasonal influenza, just that it's more widespread.

2009 H1N1 flu continues to spread.  Every state has had some incidence of 2009 H1N1 flu and, with schools back in session, it's spreading more rapidly.

2009 H1N1 flu is contagious and spreads in the same way that seasonal flu spreads--from person to person, mainly through coughing and sneezing or touching a surface containing the virus, then touching the nose or mouth. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is so contagious partly because few people have immunity to it.  

The best way to prevent infection with the 2009 H1N1 flu or the seasonal flu is vaccination.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that everyone be vaccinated against the virus.  

Seasonal flu vaccine is available now.  Vaccine for the 2009 H1N1 flu just recently became available in limited quantities.  If initial supply of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is limited, the CDC list priority groups that should be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available.

People will need two different flu shots this year.  2009 H1N1flu vaccination is separate from seasonal influenza vaccination.  The CDC is encouraging employers to hold vaccination clinics when possible.

The 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic is no reason to panic, but it is reason to prepare. While most people who have become ill with the 2009 H1N1 virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment, according to the CDC, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with the virus have occurred.

2009 H1N1 flu has the potential to cause disruptions in business operations should contamination become widespread.  Persons infected with the virus may be contagious for a day before becoming sick; the flu typically lasts five to seven days.  The CDC recommend that persons infected with the virus stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours, which could mean being away from work for a week.

The CDC encourage businesses to have flexible leave policies and consider implementing alternate work schedules to accommodate those who become ill with the flu.  Such policies would help prevent the spread of flu at the workplace.

Communication with employees is essential in helping to maintain a safe and secure workplace environment.  The CDC has flyers and brochures to help employers communicate with their employees about 2009 H1N1 flu and how to prevent it.

Visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/ or www.flu.gov for more information.   Visit www.stopthespreadaz.org for information specific to Arizona, including information regarding the availability of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.