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</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">This area is experiencing greater than normal occurrences
of Influenza A (the Flu).<span> </span></font><font color="#000000">It is
important to protect yourself against contracting or spreading the flu.</font><font color="#000000"><span> </span><span> </span></font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">What
is type A influenza?</font></span></b></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Influenza — also known as the flu — is a contagious
viral infection that attacks your respiratory system.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Influenza viruses that infect humans can be classified
into three main groups: A, B, and C. Types A influenza infection can be serious
and cause widespread outbreaks and disease.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Common symptoms of type A infection can be confused
with other conditions. While in some milder cases the flu can resolve on its
own without significant symptoms, severe cases of type A influenza can be
life-threatening.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Influenza
A symptoms</font></span></b></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Unlike a common cold, the flu typically occurs with a
sudden onset of symptoms. Common signs of an influenza infection include:</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">coughing</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">runny or stuffy nose</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">sneezing</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">sore throat</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">fever</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">headache</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">fatigue</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">chills</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">body aches</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Sometimes, influenza A symptoms may resolve on their
own. However, if symptoms persist for more than a week without improvement,
schedule a visit with your doctor. In rare cases, the flu can be deadly.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Left
untreated, the flu can cause:</font></span></b></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">ear infection</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">diarrhea</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">nausea</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">vomiting</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">dizziness</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">abdominal pain</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">chest pain</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">asthma attack</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">pneumonia</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">bronchitis</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">cardiac issues</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Treatment</font></span></b></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">In some cases, influenza A symptoms can clear on their
own with ample rest and fluid intake. In other cases, your doctor may prescribe
antiviral medication to fight the infection.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Common antiviral prescriptions include:</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">zanamivir (Relenza)</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">oseltamivir (Tamiflu)</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">peramivir (Rapivab)</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">These medications, known as neuraminidase inhibitors,
reduce the ability of the influenza virus to spread from cell to cell, slowing
down the infection process.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Though effective, these medications can cause side
effects such as nausea and vomiting. If you begin to experience any of these
symptoms or if your condition worsens, stop using the prescription and visit
your doctor immediately.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">A new medication called baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza),
created by a Japanese pharmaceutical company, was approved in October 2018 by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This antiviral drug helps stop the
influenza virus from replicating.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Over-the-counter medication therapy can also ease flu
symptoms. Be sure to stay hydrated to loosen mucus in your chest and strengthen
your immune system.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">How
long is it contagious?</font></span></b></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">If you have the flu, you’re contagious from at least a
day before you begin to experience symptoms <u>up through five days after your
symptoms begin</u></font><font color="#000000">.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">In more severe cases, you could be contagious for even
longer after you begin experiencing symptoms. This number can fluctuate if your
immune system is weak or undeveloped, specifically in cases of children or
older adults.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><b><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Prevention</font></span></b></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">The best way to prevent the flu is through annual
vaccinations. Each flu shot protects against three to four different influenza
viruses within that year’s flu season.</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">Other ways to prevent spreading this disease include:</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">washing your hands regularly</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">avoiding large crowds, specifically during a flu
outbreak</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><font color="#000000">staying home if you develop a fever and for at least
24 hours after it goes away</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div><div><br clear="all"></div><div><div class="gmail_signature" dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div>Bryan Denny</div><div>Director of Student Life</div><div>Criminal Justice Chair/C.O.P. Director</div><div>Eastern Oklahoma State College</div><div>1301 W. Main Wilburton OK 74578</div><div>Ph: (918) 465-1818 Fax: (918) 465-4494</div><div><a href="mailto:bdenny@eosc.edu" target="_blank">bdenny@eosc.edu</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>