How to Become a Flu Fighter

How to Become a Flu Fighter Pandemic Influenza Prevention Curriculum Grades 6-8 1

Lesson One Understanding the Flu Virus 2

Five Codes of Flu Fighting Code 1: Understand the flu virus Code 2: Know what a flu pandemic is Code 3: Know how to protect yourself and others from the flu Code 4: Know what to do if you get sick with the flu Code 5: Know what to expect during a flu pandemic 3

The Flu The flu is a disease caused by the influenza virus 4

Virus A virus is a simple structure that can cause a disease when it grows and reproduces in living things 5

Bacteria Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can cause illness or infection 6

Viruses vs. Bacteria Viruses and bacteria are like apples and oranges. They are similar in that they both can cause disease, but they are different in their makeup 7

Viruses vs. Bacteria Virus Bacteria Can it live on its own? NO YES Can you use antibiotics to cure it? NO YES Can it cause disease? YES YES Can you get a vaccine to protect yourself from it? YES SOMETIMES Examples: Flu, chickenpox, HIV, or the common cold Staph, bacteria in cuts (puss or redness), food poisoning (salmonella) 8

Antibiotics Treat Only Bacteria Antibiotics cannot treat the flu The flu is a virus that is normally prevented through the use of vaccines and personal hygiene measures Antibiotics treat bacteria and are not effective in treating viruses like the flu 9

Some symptoms of the flu include: Chills Fever Headache Muscle aches Runny nose Cough Sore throat Symptoms of the Flu 10

The Flu on the Move The flu can travel from one person to another when a virus is coughed or sneezed into the air The virus can land on a person, or object and then be picked up by someone new 11

Lesson Two Understanding Flu Pandemics The 1918 Influenza Pandemic Know what a flu pandemic is 12

Review 1. Code 1: Understand the flu virus 2. Code 2: Know what a flu pandemic is 3. Code 3: Know how to protect yourself and others from the flu 4. Code 4: Know what to do if you get sick with the flu 5. Code 5: Know what to expect during a flu pandemic 13

No Ordinary Flu 14

Flu Pandemic A pandemic is when people from all over the world become sick with the same new strain of flu at the same time 15

1918 Influenza Pandemic In little over a year, the 1918 flu pandemic killed between 20 and 50 million people world-wide, including more than 500,000 in the United States 16

1918 Pandemic in Context 600 Deaths from wars or flu Deaths (100,000s) 500 400 300 200 100 0 Civil War WWI 1918 flu WWII Korea Vietnam 17

Differences Between 1918 and Now The increase in international travel means a new virus can spread quickly around the world Advances in medicine mean better treatment Better hygiene may help prevent the spread of disease We can use our knowledge of past pandemics to prepare 18

The Ever-changing Flu The flu virus is very changeable The parts that make up the flu are always changing This is why it is important to get a flu shot or nasal flu mist every year 19

Animals That Get the Flu 20

The Ever-changing Flu Did you know that every year about 36,000 people in the United States die of complications from influenza? 21

The Ever-changing Flu Most of the time the changes in the flu are small and the available vaccines provide good protection Virus X New Virus X 22

The Ever-changing Flu Sometimes the changes are very big and vaccine is not yet available for the new type of flu Virus X New virus Y 23

The Ever-changing Flu Since it takes six to eight months to develop a new vaccine, many people may become ill If the new flu travels easily from person to person and causes severe symptoms, it may become a pandemic and many people may die 24

Flu Pandemic During a flu pandemic life will be different The best way to get ready for a pandemic is to learn about the flu This week you are going to learn how to protect yourself and others from the flu 25

Choose Your Assignment 1. Family history: Everyone is descended from (related to) someone who survived the flu pandemic of 1918 Your assignment is to do research on how the pandemic affected your family 2. Create a Flu Fighting machine: This is your chance to become an inventor Create a machine that will prevent the spread of the flu, or make life easier during a flu pandemic 26

Choose Your Assignment 3. Research the flu: If you love science, this is a great project for you Do more research on the flu virus 4. Create a family pandemic flu preparedness plan and emergency kit The best way to protect yourself from harm during a pandemic is to be prepared Creating an emergency kit will help prepare you and your family 27

Lesson Three Know how to protect yourself and others from the flu 28

Review 1. Code 1: Understand the flu virus 2. Code 2: Know what a flu pandemic is 3. Code 3: Know how to protect yourself and others from the flu 4. Code 4: Know what to do if you get sick with the flu 5. Code 5: Know what to expect during a flu pandemic 29

Ways to Protect Yourself Wash your hands Get a flu shot or flu mist Avoid close contact with those who are ill Avoid touching your face 30

Protect Yourself and Others Get a flu shot or nasal flu mist every year because the flu virus is always changing 31

Protect Yourself and Others If soap and water are not available, use a waterless hand cleaner Always wash your hands for 15-20 seconds: ~ After using the bathroom ~ After blowing your nose ~ Before eating 32

Protect Yourself and Others Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth: ~ Things you touch are covered with germs that can cause illness 33

Protect Yourself and Others Try to avoid close contact with those who are sick 34

Protect Yourself and Others Maintain a healthy lifestyle Eat good foods Get regular exercise 35

Prepare for a Flu Pandemic No one knows how serious the H1N1 flu pandemic will be It is important to be prepared 36

Prepare for a Flu Pandemic Be ready to stay home for at least a week Store health and medical supplies Decide who will take care of children if schools are closed 37

Prepare for a Flu Pandemic Plan how you can study from home, if possible. Be ready to help neighbors during a pandemic 38

Lesson Four Know what to do if you get sick with the flu 39

Review Code 1: Understand the flu virus Code 2: Know what a flu pandemic is Code 3: Know how to protect yourself and others from the flu Code 4: Know what to do if you get sick with the flu Code 5: Know what to expect during a flu pandemic 40

When You are Sick Stay home from school Cover your coughs and sneezes Get lots of rest Drink plenty of water or juice Wash your hands after blowing your nose 41

Protect Others from the Flu Stay home when you are sick: By staying home when you are sick you help prevent others from getting sick 42

Protect Others from the Flu Always cover your cough with a tissue or your sleeve to prevent spreading the flu to others If you cough on your hands be sure to wash them right away Properly dispose of used tissues 43

Take Care of Yourself Be sure to get plenty of rest 44

Take Care of Yourself If you have a headache or fever your parents may give you an overthe-counter medicine, but children and teenagers should never take aspirin or other products containing aspirin 45

Take Care of Yourself Drink lots of water and other fluids to avoid getting dehydrated, especially if you have a fever 46

Take Care of Yourself Tell your parents if you develop any of the following symptoms that could indicate serious illness: ~ Difficulty breathing ~ Fever with a rash ~ Dizziness or confusion ~ Signs of dehydration (increased thirst, dry mouth, urinating less than three times a day) ~ Pain or pressure in your chest or stomach ~ Feeling worse after having felt better 47

Are you smarter than the flu? Rules of the Game: Teams take turns picking questions The team that chose the question has one minute to answer the question Each student can answer only two questions in a row If the team that chose the question does not answer it correctly in one minute the other team has a chance to steal the points Each question is worth one point The team with the most points wins 48

Know what to expect during a flu pandemic Lesson Five 49

Review Code 1: Understand the flu virus Code 2: Know what a flu pandemic is Code 3: Know how to protect yourself and others from the flu Code 4: Know what to do if you get sick with the flu Code 5: Know what to expect during a flu pandemic 50

Life During a Flu Pandemic In your group have one person who writes, and have one person who will be the presenter. Answer the following questions: How are things likely to be different in a pandemic? What might you and others in your life (parents, family members, friends, doctors, teachers, etc.) need to do differently? 51

Life During a Flu Pandemic The best way to keep from getting sick during a flu pandemic is to maintain a safe distance between you and those who are sick During a pandemic: Classes may be cancelled or schools may close Sporting events and other school activities will be cancelled 52

During a pandemic: DHS: PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION Life During a Flu Pandemic Food, fuel and medical care may be in short supply Every family needs to store extra supplies and have a plan in place for coping during a pandemic 53

During a pandemic: DHS: PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION Life During a Flu Pandemic Some people you know may be sick and some people may die It is normal to feel anxious and concerned Be sure to talk to someone about your feelings 54

Life During a Flu Pandemic What other things might be different during a flu pandemic? If schools are closed is it a good idea for you to hang out with your friends? Why or why not? 55

Life During a Flu Pandemic What could you do to help others during a flu pandemic without putting yourself at risk? 56

Life During a Flu Pandemic Talk with your family about what you will do during a pandemic 57

Congratulations! You have become a flu fighter! 58

For More Information: http://www.flu.oregon.gov Oregon Public Health Division Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program 800 NE Oregon St., Suite 465B Portland, OR 97232 971-673-1315 59