Pandemic Flu

1
Pandemic Flu
2
Signs and Symptoms

• - Clinical presentation
• High temperature - gt38 C or history of Fever AND
  flu like illness 2 or more of the following
  symptoms
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Chills and shivers
• Limb/Joint pain
• Cough
• Rhinorrhoea excessive runny nose
• Patients may also experience weakness/fatigue,
  loss of appetite

3
Nursing a patient

• Ensure that Infection Control Measures are in
  place at all times
• Manage patient in a side room until symptom free
  or negative result is reported
• Keep number of staff caring for patient to a
  minimum
• Maintain and monitor hydration offer at least 1
  glass of clear fluid every waking hour
• Monitor and Record patients Vital Signs TPR and
  BP
• Administer Paracetamol
• Ensure patient rests

4
Medical Early Warning Signs

• Severe Respiratory Distress
  - Respiratory rate of over 30 breaths
  per minute
• - Rapid onset of shortness of breath
  -
  Respiratory exhaustion
  
• Severe Chest Pain
• Altered level of consciousness
• Evidence of dehydration
  - low volume
  of dark yellow urine
  - dry mouth and
  tongue
  -
  dizziness
  
  
• - severe headache

5
Medical Early Warning Signs Cont

• Systolic Blood Pressure of lt90mm/Hg or
• Diastolic Blood Pressure of lt60mm/HG
• Oxygen Saturation lt92 on pulse oximetry
  breathing air or on oxygen
• IF ANY OF THE ABOVE PRESENT SEEK URGENT MEDICL
  ASSESSMENT