Pharmacy Tech News CE Lesson
TABLE 2
Symptoms of hospitalized H1N1 patients4
Symptom Number (%)
Fever 249 (93%)
Cough 223 (83%)
Shortness of breath 145 (54%)
Fatigue/weakness 108 (40%)
Chills 99 (37%)
Myalgias 96 (36%)
Rhinorrhea 96 (36%)
Sore throat 84 (31%)
Headache 83 (31%)
Vomiting 78 (29%)
Wheezing 64 (24%)
Diarrhea 64 (24%)
The pharmacy technician answers a phone call from a patient that is complaining of flu-like symptoms, dizziness and shortness of breath, and asks if there is something he can take over the counter to cure his symptoms. What should the pharmacy technician do?
Discussion
The patient is complaining of shortness of breath, which is an emergency warning sign. The pharmacy technician should notify the pharmacist immediately, and the patient should be referred to seek emergency medical care.
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
•Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash In adults:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
How does the virus spread?
Like other influenza viruses, the H1N1 vi-
rus is spread from person to person primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes in close contact to another person. It also may be spread through contact with surfaces that have been contaminated by respiratory droplets produced by an infected person coughing or sneezing. After contact with the contaminated surface, a susceptible person then touches his or her face or mouth to become infected. 6
Patients may experience symptoms of H1N1 flu one to four days after the virus enters the body. People infected with H1N1 flu may be able to infect others from one day before actually experiencing the flu symptoms to five to seven days after. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be infectious for a lon-
ger time. However, this is just an estimate. The CDC recommends people stay home from work or school until they are fever free for 24 hours. It is important to note that patients should be fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
preVeNTINg THe spread of H1N1
IN THe pHarmacy
Pharmacy technicians often are the first to make contact with patients visiting the pharmacy and can play a role in preventing the spread of H1N1 in the pharmacy. Discuss these potential options with the pharmacist (and corporate management where applicable) as ways to prevent the spread of illness in the pharmacy:
prevention and treatment of H1N1 influenza
Goals of therapy for influenza include preventing the spread of infection, controlling symptoms and preventing complications. Pharmacy technicians can play a role in these critical efforts by encouraging vaccination to appropriate target groups and promoting good hygiene practices to patients, coworkers and family members, such as frequent hand washing, the use of hand sanitizers and staying home when sick. In addition to these steps, the pharmacist plays a vital role by educating patients about the proper use of antiviral medications.
• Place bottles of hand sanitizer on the pharmacy counter for patients and behind the counter for the pharmacy team.
A patient calls the pharmacy and reports that she likely has the H1N1 flu, but is feeling better and is wondering when she can return to work. What does the CDC recommend regarding returning to work or school after suspected H1N1 infection?
Discussion The CDC recommends people stay home from work or school until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication.
18 • Winter 2009 www.cedrugstorenews.com Pharmacy Tech News
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