Tip Tuesday on Wednesday: Flu Prevention

First off, my apologies for not posting the Tuesday Tip yesterday. I was out of the office all day participating in Leadership Ocala.

Yesterday's Tuesday Tip

Flu Prevention: Take 3!

When it comes to preventing the onset of the various influenza viruses, including H1N1 (swine flu), the CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others:

1. Take time to get a flu vaccine.

2. Take everyday preventive actions.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care.
• While sick, limit contact with others.

3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.

• If you get seasonal or 2009 H1N1 flu, antiviral drugs can help treat the flu.
• Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
• Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
• Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter and are different from antibiotics.
• For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started within the first two days of symptoms.
• Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. Please note: people may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Click here to download the Take 3 Brochure

Are you a UnitedHealthcare Member?

If so, UHC is covering the administration of the H1N1 vaccine to all fully insured members, with no copayments, deductibles or coinsurance fees. For more details and information, click on the following links:

• Employer Frequently Asked Questions


• H1N1 Information for UHC Members

For the most up-to-date clinical guidance, please visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

Introducing "Tip Tuesdays"

Benefit Advisors is now going to offer health and wellness tips every Tuesday, so make sure you check back frequently.

Today's Tuesday Tip

Snacking is actually good for you.

Sound silly? Actually, studies show eating nutritious, low-calorie snacks throughout the day may help you with the following:

1. Avoid overeating
2. Burn more calories
3. Improve cholesterol levels

Healthy Snack Alternatives:

1. One cup of fresh or frozen fruit
2. Raw vegetables
3. Low fat cottage cheese
4. Celery and peanut butter
5. Hummus & whol wheat pita bread
6. Low-fat yogurt
7. A handful of nuts

(source: UHC Healthy Mind Healthy Body Newsroom; photo courtesy of http://www.webspin.org/)

Access to Health Care

In September, Benefit Advisors sponsored an Access to Health Care seminar put on by Workforce Connection at the Central Florida Community College Klein Conference Center in Ocala. The event showcased the various health care outlets available to the residents of Marion County.

Benefit Advisors' booth

The panel of speakers address the crowd

Fellow exhibitors

The crowd

Benefit Advisors Featured on PBS Nightly Business Report

Benefit Advisors, along with its client KP Studio Architect PA, was featured on last night's Nightly Business Report Bill of Health special. To view the segment, click here.

No Time For Reading? HEAR the bill....

Don't let your busy schedule keep you from being informed! Visit www.hearthebill.org to LISTEN to the healthcare bill (HR 3200).

Preparing For Flu Season

In an article by Jim Giuliano on August 26, 2009, he describes how health experts are expecting the swine flu to return this year. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and other agencies will offer guides that can help your company prepare, and maybe even lessen the effects on your employees and on business.

In total, there are three resources the CDC and other agencies offer: “Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to the 2009 – 2010 Influenza Season.” This document provide a list of “Actions Employers Should Take Now” including:

• Review or establish a flexible influenza pandemic plan and involve your employees in developing and reviewing your plan.
  
• Conduct a focused discussion or exercise using your plan, to find out ahead of time whether the plan has gaps or problems that need to be corrected before flu season.
  
• Have an understanding of your organization’s normal seasonal absenteeism rates and know how to monitor your personnel for any unusual increases in absenteeism through the fall and winter.
  
• Engage state and local health departments to confirm channels of communication and methods for dissemination of local outbreak information.
  
• Develop flexible leave policies to allow workers to stay home to care for themselves or sick family members or for children if schools dismiss students or child care programs close.
  
• Share best practices with other businesses in your communities (especially those in your supply chain), chambers of commerce, and associations to improve community response efforts.

The CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security have provided “A Communications Toolkit for Businesses and Employers” that offers:

• Q&As about CDC’s guidance for businesses and employers to plan and respond to the 2009-2010 flu season
  
• A quick reference for business H1N1 flu planning and response
  
• Action steps to keep your business and employees healthy
  
• 8 ways you can stay healthy at work
  
• A poster for workplace entrances to remind sick employees to go home
  
• 3 template e-mails (or letters) for businesses to send to employees about the flu season and staying healthy

OSHA also has offers “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic,” which provides a number of measures to protect employees in the event of a flu pandemic, including how to tell if your workplace is at high risk.

Source: Jim Giuliano, August 26, 2009