This document provides information on various infectious diseases including influenza, tuberculosis, and general infection control practices. It describes how influenza and tuberculosis spread from person to person and their common symptoms. It recommends annual flu vaccines, proper hand hygiene including washing hands with soap and water before and after contact with patients, and testing and treatment for those exposed to tuberculosis.

1. What is Influenza?
Influenza is an infection
caused by a virus. There
are many types of
influenza viruses.

2. How is it spread?
• When an infected person talks, coughs, or
sneezes the virus is expelled into the air.
• If you’re within 3 feet of that infected person,
you have been exposed. Unfortunately if you
have the flu, you may not show symptoms for
2 days after you’re infected—so you’re
spreading the flu virus to those around you,
and you don’t even realize you’re infected!

3. Why is there a different flu vaccine
every year?
• There are so many types (strains) of
influenza—the Centers for Disease Control
researches what strains are across the world
and do their best to predict which type will be
seen in the upcoming season. Some years
they are right on target, but not always. There
are always 3 primary strains in the vaccine
each year.

4. Should I get a flu vaccine?
• A flu vaccine remains your best protection
against influenza. Your immunity will last
about 5-6 months, so it’s important not to get
it too early. Usually late September or
October are prime vaccination times.

5. Do we take care of tuberculosis
patients?
• If you suspect a patient has TB, notify the
physician immediately. If appropriate, the
physician will transfer the patient to SFMC or
Glenwood for follow-up of suspected
tuberculosis.
• We are equipped to take care of tuberculosis
patients if needed.

6. What are the symptoms of
tuberculosis?
• Persistent coughing for more than 3 weeks
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night sweats
• Fever
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Fatigue

7. If I have a positive skin test, does
that mean I can infect others?
• Not necessarily: It means you’ve been exposed
to the TB germ. You have been around someone
who had active TB; and, as that person talked,
coughed, or sneezed, the bacteria went into the
air and you inhaled it. If you don’t have
symptoms, then you are not infectious.
• You will need to be seen by a physician in order
to determine appropriate therapy to ensure the
“germs” you have are killed—usually that therapy
is taking a medication called INH for 6-9 months.

8. Is it required that I be tested for TB
every year?
• Yes, at least annually according to state law if
you work in a facility licensed by the Dept. of
Health and Hospitals.

9. Should you clean your hands
before touching a patient?
• You should always clean your hands before
touching a patient.

10. Is it OK to use hand sanitizer after
removing bloody gloves?
• No, it is not OK. You need to wash your hands
instead.

11. What is the best way to protect
yourself from most infections?
• Washing your hands is the best way to
protect yourself from most infections.

12. You have finished the slide
presentation on infection control
• Please click on the INFECTION CONTROL QUIZ
button and take the quiz.