Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example
Influenza (Flu) in Mexico
Flu is a viral disease that affects the respiratory systems, including the nose, throat, and lungs. The influenza virus is contagious and can lead to mild to severe illness and sometimes death. Flu spreads mainly through tiny droplets from people with flu that fall or remain in the air when they cough, sneeze or talk (CDC, 2021). The droplets can land in other people’s mouths, noses, and other surfaces. Individuals might contract the virus when they touch the surfaces or objects where the virus fell and touch their noses, mouths, and eyes. Mexico is among the developing countries with a high incidence of flu and has experienced several flu outbreaks, one of the major ones being in 2009. The country experiences seasonal influenza that follows a bimodal pattern: influenza and inter-seasonal periods. Influenza is most common from October to March, in autumn and winter. A health education tool will be valuable to help the population take care of itself to minimize flu incidence in the country.(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
Target population, Resources, and Prevention Level
The health education tool targets the most vulnerable populations, including people aged 50 years and over, individuals working in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, adults and children with existing lung and heart conditions such as asthma, adults and children with diabetes or kidney conditions, those with HIV infection or an organ transplant, children and teenagers aged six months to 18 years under aspirin therapy, and pregnant women. There are several resources available in Mexico to curb the spread of the influenza virus. The Binational Technical Working Group (BTWG) is a community resource that addresses mutual public health concerns due to the inter-connectedness of the US and Mexican populations along the border. The CDC has a presence in Mexico and leads this group to bolster communication exchange to raise situational awareness regarding the disease (CDC, 2021). Disease surveillance in the country has improved flu prevention. The surveillance program focuses on the H1N1 virus that led to the 2009 flu pandemic. It also surveils other infections like TB. Laboratory projects in Mexico aim to foster the national and state disease control programs to identify populations at an increased risk, which would benefit from interventions like vaccination. The health education tool aims at primary prevention to improve the population’s overall health.(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
Health Education Tool
Self-management Tips
Self-management initiatives aim at infection control, including:
- Frequent handwashing with soap and water to limit the spread
- Avoiding touching surfaces, and then touching the nose, mouth, and eyes
- Avoiding close contact with infected individuals(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
- Staying home after contracting the virus to get medical care
- Covering the mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing
- Getting plenty of rest when sick and drinking a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration
- Getting the flu vaccine to prevent infection
Diet and nutritional directions
After contracting flu, people should consider eating the following:
- Broth to help with dehydration, sore throat, and congestion relieve
- Chicken soup to keep hydrated and satiated. It also has vital elements like iron (Cherney & Btler, 2020)
- Garlic, which has immune-enhancing effects and helps control symptoms
- Fruits containing vitamin C to boost the immune system(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
- Leafy greens like spinach and kale that contain vitamin C and vitamin E to enhance the immune system
- Broccoli, which has vitamin C, E, calcium, and fiber to boost the immune system
- Oatmeal like whole grains, which are natural sources of vitamin E, polyphenol antioxidants, and beta-glucan fiber that strengthen the immune system
Potential treatment options
If a person has flu, treatment options include:
- Antiviral drugs like oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir that work by preventing the infected host cells from releasing viral particles (NIH, 2017)(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
- Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to address achiness caused by the infection
- Drinking a lot of fluids ensures hydration, and can help control fever
Potential resources
Resources available to control influenza include:
- Disease surveillance programs
- Laboratory stations that identify high-risk populations
- Awareness programs like the BTWG
- Healthy-habits tips from agencies and organization like CDC-Mexico and ASM.org,
- Health centers offering free flu shots(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
- Flu vaccination campaigns
- National pandemic influenza risk assessment programs
Risk reduction
Flu risk reduction initiatives include:
- Getting the flu vaccine every year
- Healthy habits like washing hands, cleaning surfaces, and maintaining a nutrition-rich diet
- Reducing contact with sick people and(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example) staying active
- Risk assessment initiatives
- Public education in public places like schools and religious buildings
References
CDC. (2021, November 2). CDC’s work in Mexico. https://www.cdc.gov/usmexicohealth/work-in-mexico.html
CDC. (2021, August 26). Key facts about influenza. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
Cherney, K., & Btler, N. (2020, March 29). Flu diet: 9 foods to eat when you have the flu and 4 things to avoid. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-to-eat-when-you-have-the-flu(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH). (2017, April 10). Influenza treatment. https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/influenza-treatment/(Communicable Disease Health Education Tool Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)
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