Business options to fight the flu

By Mary Meehan — mmeehan1@herald-leader.com

Posted: 12:00am on Sep 14, 2009; Modified: 2:01pm on Sep 17, 2009

  • Flu facts

    What age group is most susceptible to H1N1?

    People between the ages of 5 and 24 have been hardest hit, with a rate of 27 cases per 100,000 people. That is followed by those 0 to 4, with a rate of 23 cases per 100,000 people. People 65 and older had the lowest rate, 1.3 cases per 100,000 people, leading to the speculation that older people might have some immunity to the strain.

    How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?

    People infected might be able to infect others from the day before showing symptoms to up to a week after becoming ill.

    What can you do to avoid catching H1N1?

    Use the same precautions you would use with any flu.

    Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

    Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

    Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

    Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you are sick with flu-like illness stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care.

    Are there medicines to treat H1N1?

    The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza) for treatment and/or prevention. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight the flu by keeping viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They might also prevent serious complications. The current priority for antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness and sick people who have a condition that places them at high risk for complications.

    How should you care for people with flu-like symptoms at home?

    Have them drink clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks or electrolyte beverages to keep from being dehydrated. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands. Wear a face mask if available and tolerable when around other members of the household. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza, such as having another condition such as diabetes or cancer.

    What are signs that urgent medical treatment is needed?

    In children: Fast breathing or trouble breathing; bluish or gray skin color; not drinking enough fluids; severe or persistent vomiting; not waking up or not interacting; not wanting to be held because of irritation; flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

    In adults: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; flu-like symptoms that improve but return with fever and worse cough

    Will certain groups be given first access to the vaccine once it is available?

    The CDC recommends that some people be given priority. They would be, in order: Pregnant women; people living with or caring for children younger than 6 months; health care and emergency medical services personnel; people between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age; and people 25 through 64 who are at higher risk because of chronic disorders or compromised immune systems.

    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, visit www.pandemicflu.gov

You've probably heard the basics for fighting the H1N1 flu by now: wash your hands, cover your mouth when you sneeze, and stay home when you are sick. But businesses have a few more things to consider.

Here is a primer for businesses based on information from the Kentucky Department of Public Health.

A common thread is that employers should act now, before the flu has reached its peak and businesses are crippled by absences, lack of supplies and other issues.

What should businesses provide for employees to help fight the flu?

Health officials suggest a company should provide the following to all employees:

■ Tissues.

■ Antibacterial wipes that contain bleach as a main ingredient.

■ Hand sanitizer.

Ideally, employees should clean off their workspace, including keyboards, desks and telephones daily with antibacterial wipes.

Now is the time to provide these items, which help contain the virus, before the flu spreads, officials say.

What about masks?

Providing masks might be an option if the number of sick people in a workplace is significant.

It's best for employers to seek a source of masks now, before the virus spreads, to ensure that the masks will be available when needed.

How can we make sure the business continues to run?

Prepare for the worst-case scenario by anticipating that 30 percent of your workforce might be absent at any given time.

If there are critical functions, such as payroll, that are done by a single person, make sure that someone is properly trained to take over if that person is out. Review non-critical functions that can be postponed if the virus hits its peak.

Health officials suggest reviewing how your business functioned during the 2003 ice storm in Central Kentucky and taking a cue from that crisis in preparing for this one.

Also, remember, even if your employees aren't sick, there might be school closings that could significantly impact your workforce.

Should employers consider telecommuting?

Yes, telecommuting, or working from home, should be explored when possible, officials say.

It might be a good option for those who have family members who are sick but are not sick themselves.

Ideally, people living with someone who is sick with the H1N1 virus should not be coming into a workplace, officials say.

Telecommuting should also be considered as an option for people at high risk for getting the disease, such as pregnant women or people who live with someone in a high-risk category.

Now is the time to provide any technical assistance that is needed to make telecommuting possible, officials say.

Should attendance policies be reviewed?

If performance and pay are tied to attendance, those policies need to be reviewed. Policies that encourage people to come into work when they are sick or that punish employees when they are absent should be suspended during the flu outbreak.

What about requiring a doctor's note for an absence?

Though the flu has yet to reach its peak, health officials are already suggesting that someone with flu symptoms should call their doctor to get antiviral medication to help lessen symptoms instead of going into the office. With doctors' offices and hospitals swamped with cases, it might not always be possible to get a doctor's note.

What do you do if someone comes to work sick?

If it's clear that someone should not be at work, ask them to go home to preserve the health of others.

When will H1N1 vaccines be available and what should businesses do?

A limited supply of H1N1 vaccine will be available in late October, officials say.

Certain groups, such as pregnant women and health care workers, will be given priority in getting that vaccine. After the needs of those priority groups are met, health departments may work with employers to provide on-site vaccinations. Employers should contact their local health departments for information.

Anyone with questions about the vaccines, including information about the possibility of scheduling a clinic in a workplace in Lexington, may call the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department flu hot line at (859) 288-7529.

Reach Mary Meehan at (859) 231-3261 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3261.

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