We are pleased to direct you to new resources for Persons with Disabilities and the Flu recently added to the Office on Disability’s main web page at http://www.hhs.gov/od/

 

To be taken directly to flu.gov Persons with Disabilities and Flu, please follow this link http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/healthconditions/disabilities/index.html

 

To be taken directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published  2009 H1N1 Flu Information for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers or Personal Assistants, please follow this link  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/disabilities/

* Disabilities and the Flu *

This document addressing disabilities and the flu became available today from HHS.
You can find the full article at www.flu.gov
 
Flu Home > For Individuals & Families > People with Health Conditions > Disabilities
Disabilities and the Flu

Having a disability alone may not place someone at higher risk for complications from the H1N1 virus, but other factors            may put a person with disabilities at higher risk.  You may be at risk if you are a:

• Young child
• Pregnant woman
• Person with arthritis
• Person with asthma
• Person with cancer
• Person with diabetes
• Person with heart disease
• Person with HIV/AIDS

Additionally, among people with disabilities, the following groups are at higher risk of acquiring the H1N1 infection:

• People who have difficultly breathing – (ventilator users and individuals with asthma and other respiratory conditions – this could include individuals with a range of disabilities such as intellectual and developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, seizure disorders, metabolic conditions, and other neuromuscular disorders).
• People who have difficulty fighting infections or who are immunocompromised – (individuals with HIV, cancer, and other types of immune suppression, or individuals using immunosuppressive medications).
• People of any age who have chronic health conditions (heart disease, metabolic [i.e., diabetes], renal, hepatic, hematological [i.e. sickle cell anemia], pulmonary, neurological, or neuromuscular disorders).
• People who have pharmacological dependency.
• People younger than 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy due to their risk of developing Reye’s Syndrome.
• Children prone to dehydration from poor nutritional and fluid intake caused by prolonged vomiting and diarrhea, or underlying metabolic conditions.

Reduce Your Risk of Flu Infection

• 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. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to minimize contact with other persons who might be ill with 2009 H1N1 flu.
• Follow local public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures based on illness in specific communities.
• Maintain your health and if prescribed, continue to take antiretrovirals or antimicrobial prophylaxis against opportunistic infection.

Vaccination

• If you are in a high priority group for the H1N1 flu vaccine, you should be vaccinated for the H1N1 flu (see flu locator) as soon as possible.
• If not in a high priority group, you should get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available to you.
• You should get vaccinated against the seasonal flu now.

More Information on Vaccination

Antiviral Drugs

• Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that can be used to treat H1N1 (Swine) flu, or to prevent infection with H1N1 flu viruses. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional.
• If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious influenza complications. The sooner a sick person is treated with an antiviral, the greater effect it will have on the patient’s recovery.
• Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective.

More information on Medications and Antivirals

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Information for Care Providers

If you provide care for a person with disabilities, it is important that you take steps to prevent that person from getting the flu and provide help if he/she becomes ill.  You should also take all the necessary precautions to protect yourself against H1N1 flu.  

Members of the direct care workforce that provide self-directed services can take steps to help prevent the transmission of the virus among seniors and individuals with disabilities that they serve.

More information for care givers

 

Employment Issues

Frequent Questions on Flu for Employers Regarding People with Disabilities
http://answers.flu.gov/questions/4767

Employment Discrimination and the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/pandemic_flu.html

Statement by the Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Addressing Civil Rights in the Response to H1N1\Influenza
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/h1n1_response.php

How to Protect Yourself in the Workplace during a Pandemic
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/protect-yourself-pandemic.html

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