Residential Services of Northeastern Minnesota, Inc.
2900 Piedmont Ave
Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: (218) 727-2696
Fax: (218) 727-2893
Website: http://www.residentialservices.org
Residential Services of Northeastern Minnesota, Inc.
2900 Piedmont Ave
Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: (218) 727-2696
Fax: (218) 727-2893
Website: http://www.residentialservices.org
Residential Services of NE MN, Inc.In response to current news reporting on the H1N1 (Swine) Flu concern, RSI is republishing this information from the CDC. More information is also available at Flu.gov.
Because RSI values the health of its clients and employees, we have developed guidelines for everyone to follow in regard to the flu season.
If you have the following symptoms you should stay home from work until you are fever free for 24 hours without taking any medication such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Staff should avoid using aspirin due to the potential complication of Reye's Syndrome.
Your supervisor may request that your temperature be taken if you appear sick at work. Each program has been provided with a staff thermometer. If you have symptoms along with a temperature of 100.4° or higher, you will be sent home from work.
If you have a temperature that is 100.4° or greater along with other symptoms for 72 hours (3 days), you are to call your Program RN or the On Call Nurse so she can review your symptoms with you and assess if you should stay home for a longer period of time, up to 7 days from the onset of your symptoms.
You should try to replace your shifts if you are scheduled to work.
If the clients you work with exhibit these symptoms take their temperature and if it is above 100.4° orally, 101.4° rectally, or 99.4° axillary please call either your Program Nurse or the On Call RN for direction.
Vaccinations for staff without insurance will be given by the RSI nursing staff. Any RSI staff who would like a vaccination should contact their house Supervisor. The dates for these vaccinations are not yet set.
Definition: An acute, contagious respiratory infection characterized by the sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, myalgia (spinal cord pain), and sometimes prostration (absolute exhaustion).
There are many strains (types) of the flu. The one getting the most publicity at this time is the H1N1 flu, more commonly known as the Swine Flu.
Symptoms of the H1N1 are essentially the same as those for the common flu. The biggest difference is who is most commonly affected.
With the H1N1 flu, children and young adults are at the highest risk. Also at risk are health care providers, those working with children, people with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.
With the common flu, those at highest risk are the elderly - over age 65 as well as those working in health care and those with chronic illnesses.
The flu virus can stay alive on surfaces for up to 72 hours. This means that if you cough or sneeze in to the open air, surfaces up to 6-8 feet around you can be places for the virus to lay dormant waiting for someone to touch that area and then touch their nose, eyes, or mouth, which provide a breeding ground for the virus. These little critters also like open sores, from paper cuts to skinned knees.
After the virus finds a nice, warm, moist place to breed, it takes about 24-48 hours before symptoms appear.
You are contagious - can spread the flu - 24 hours before and up to 7 days after you start to experience symptoms.
Wash your hands after:
How to effectively wash your hands:
Contrary to common misconceptions, the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. The vaccine is made from a dead virus. Side affects you could experience are:
These side affects are minimal and uncommon. They usually last for 1-2 days.
If you have flu symptoms, especially a fever of 100.4°F, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without taking any medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Individuals who are well, but have a family member at home with H1N1 (Swine) Flu, can go to work as usual.
The CDC has released guidelines on when to seek Emergency Room care:
