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Spread the Word - NOT the Flu! is a national program launched today byNovartis Vaccines, together with Families Fighting Flu, Inc, a non-profitorganization that provides support to all families affected by childhoodinfluenza-related deaths, and Weekly Reader Corporation Custom Publishing. Theprogram aims to help communities prepare for the 2007-2008 influenza seasonand reduce the burden associated with annual influenza infections.
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"Influenza does not discriminate, so it is imperative that people of allages are aware of the steps one can take to prevent the spread of thisdisease," said Theodore F. Tsai MD, MPH, FIDSA Medical Director, North AmericaNovartis Vaccines. "This is why we are proud to sponsor this educationalprogram specifically geared toward teaching students about influenza andencouraging them to share their knowledge with their family to help protecttheir community this influenza season."
Spread the Word - NOT the Flu! consists of a detailed curriculum thatteaches students about influenza facts, such as how the virus spreads, whatits symptoms are, who is at risk for potentially serious complications and howto help prevent the spread of influenza. This program can be accessed atwww.SpreadTheWordNotTheFlu.com.
Students are encouraged to put their key learnings into practice byentering the "Influenza Ambassador Award Contest" where they will design aPublic Service Announcement (PSA) advertisement to educate the public aboutthe dangers of contracting influenza and explain how everyone can help preventits spread. Upon entering the contest, students will be eligible to win alaptop computer and/or a college scholarship of up to $15,000.
"Most people don't realize that influenza is a highly contagious, seriouscondition that can affect us all, especially children," said, Dr. AndrewEisenberg M.D., MHA, FAAFP, Associate Professor School of Rural Public Health,Texas A&M University. "In fact, some children are at an increased risk ofcontracting influenza, and in effect, are at higher risk for developingserious complications, such as pneumonia, which can eventually lead to death.For this reason, I encourage parents to get their children and themselvesvaccinated each and every year."
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendinfluenza vaccination for approximately 218 million people, however, thenumber of people who actually get vaccinated is much lower. Unfortunately,many people may underestimate the dangers of influenza and the safety ofvaccination, so there continues to be a critical need for public education.
About Influenza
Influenza can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia anddehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestiveheart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Influenza can easily spread from person toperson. In fact, adults can spread the influenza virus beginning one daybefore they feel sick and continue to be contagious for five days aftersymptoms start.
Unlike the common cold, influenza, or "the flu," is a contagiousrespiratory disease with potentially serious complications. An average of36,000 US residents die each year from influenza and its complications, whichis more than double the 17,000 Americans who die annually from AIDS, similarto the 42,000 Americans who die each year from breast cancer, and half the73,000 Americans who die annually of diabetes and its complications. Over thepast four influenza seasons, more than 300 children in the US have died frominfluenza and
