Longer flu season and unexpected strains make prevention plan key

Visiting Nurse Associations of America and the Clorox Company announce online resource to help families have a healthier flu season

March 24, 2008 WASHINGTON – Millions of Americans took the advice to get a flu shot this season, but many are still becoming infected with the flu. This flu season is lasting longer than initially expected and has introduced unforeseen new strains of the virus, making other flu prevention steps even more important. Today, the Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) and The Clorox Company launched the inFLUenza Resource Center, an online resource with tips and tools needed to help protect families and help prevent the spread of the flu virus.

“While it is important to get vaccinated to protect yourself from contracting influenza, there are many common sense actions you can take to help protect your family and help prevent the spread of the flu virus,” stated Shelley Ludwick, Clinical Director of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America. “Our new inFLUenza Resource Center includes easy tips to help you protect your family.”

The inFLUenza Resource Center on VNAA’s Web site, www.vnaa.org, offers consumers an interactive resource with an easy-to-follow flu prevention plan. The resource also provides helpful tools and links to downloadable resources to make flu fighting fun.

inFLUenza Facts: Not sure the difference between a cold and the flu? Want to know how serious the flu is in your hometown? Check out the facts:

• Cold v. Flu Chart
• Current Flu Activity (Local Flu Status Update)
• Test Your Cold & Flu IQ

Fighting the Flu at Home and On the Go: The site includes educational information for parents and downloadable resources for kids, including:

• Family Flu Prevention Plan
• “Where Could the Flu Virus Be Hiding in Your House?” Checklist
• Home/Office Disinfecting Checklist

Flu Prevention Plan: Once your family is vaccinated, follow these simple steps to help prevent the spread of the flu virus all season:

• Sing & Scrub: Make sure kids wash their hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).
• Disinfect Hot Spots: Kids can touch up to 300 surfaces in 30 minutes. Disinfect the surfaces kids touch often – like doorknobs, light switches, faucets or plastic toys. Use a disinfectant designed to kill cold and flu viruses.
• Do the Elbow Cough: Teach kids to cough into elbows, not hands where they’re more likely to spread bacteria and viruses through touch.
• Handwashing Rewards Chart: Make handwashing fun for kids

About the Flu

Influenza, or “the flu,” is an easy-to-spread viral infection. The symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, aches and fatigue. A simple cough or sneeze can spread the flu virus from person to person. Although the flu is most commonly transmitted through the air, it can survive on household surfaces, too, and may spread when a person touches a surface, like a toy, with the virus on it then touches their mouth or nose.

To learn more about the flu and this year’s flu season, and to find the inFLUenza Resource Center, visit www.vnaa.org.

About Visiting Nurse Associations of America

The Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) is the official national association for nonprofit, community-based Visiting Nurse Agencies (VNAs). The nation’s network of 415+ VNAs share a nonprofit mission to provide cost-effective and compassionate home healthcare to some of the nation’s most vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly and individuals with disabilities. VNAA has a wide range of resources available on its award-winning Web site about home healthcare and things to ask about when considering home healthcare. VNAA represents the largest network of nonprofit community influenza immunizers in the country. For more information or to locate a VNA near you, visit www.vnaa.org.

About The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company is committed to helping make everyday life better, every day. As part of this commitment, Clorox is dedicated to educating parents about the importance of flu prevention. For more information about the role of disinfecting surfaces to help prevent the spread of germs, like those that can cause the flu or other respiratory infections, visit www.clorox.com.