Tag: flu season

Stop the Spread: Vaccinate, Educate, and Protect Against Measles!

Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads rapidly through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It can lead to severe illness, complications, and even be life-threatening. In 2023, there were an estimated 107 500 measles deaths globally, mostly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under the age of 5 years. Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. The best protection against measles is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine is safe and provides long-lasting protection against all strains of measles.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include high fever (may spike to more than 104° F), cough, runny nose (coryza), red and watery eyes, and rash. Rash, which is the most common symptom, begins about 7–18 days after exposure, usually on the face and upper neck. It spreads over about 3 days, eventually to the hands and feet. It usually lasts 5–6 days before fading. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis. There is no specific treatment for measles. Caregiving should focus on relieving symptoms, making the person comfortable and preventing complications. Drinking enough water and treatments for dehydration can replace fluids lost to diarrhea or vomiting. Eating a healthy diet is also important. The best way to protect against measles is with the MMR vaccine.

For More Information on Measles See the Resources Below: 

Cited Sources

Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention. (2024, February 15). Measles in 2024: An Urgent Call to Action. https://sites.uab.edu/arcipc/2024/02/15/measles/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 29). Measles (Rubeola). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, February 28). Measles cases and outbreaks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

World Health Organization. (2025, January 10). Measles (Rubeola). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles

Human Metapneumovirus: Why it matters and how to stay protected

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that usually causes cold-like symptoms and mild upper respiratory infections. However, it can occasionally result in more serious lower respiratory issues, such as pneumonia, asthma exacerbations, or worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It poses a greater risk to young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. HMPV infections are most prevalent in the winter and early spring. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or handles. It enters the body via the eyes, nose, or mouth, making close contact with infected individuals or shared environments a significant risk for transmission.

HMPV typically causes cold- or flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and headaches. Severe symptoms may include wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, extreme fatigue, dehydration, or a persistent fever. The estimated incubation period for HMPV is 3 to 6 days, and the duration of illness varies depending on severity. Preventing HMPV and other respiratory infections requires good hygiene and minimizing exposure. Wash hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and disinfect commonly used surfaces. Cover coughs and sneezes, wear a mask in crowded spaces or when sick, and avoid sharing food or utensils. Improve ventilation in shared spaces and maintain a strong immune system through a healthy lifestyle. Although no vaccine is currently available, research is ongoing.

For More Information on HMPV See the Resources Below: 

Cited Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 11). Human Metapneumovirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/human-metapneumovirus/about/index.html

World Health Organization. (2025, January 10). Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/human-metapneumovirus-(hmpv)-infection

American Lung Association. (Updated 2025, January 15). Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV). https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/human-metapneumovirus-hmpv

Assessing Adherence to Infection Control Procedures with Fluorescent Markers (December 14, 2023, 12pm CT)

This 50-minute session can serve as an educational tool to improve Infection Control strategies that help to prevent and reduce the spread of environmental healthcare associated infections. This session includes strategies to assist in assessing effective hand hygiene, environmental hygiene, and PPE use when used with standard and transmission-based precautions, including potential exposures to blood and body fluids. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control, UAB Long-Term Care Strike Team and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

  • Recognize risk factors for healthcare associated infections.
  • Identify the role of assessing training, audits, and competency in preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections.
  • Describe strategies for assessing the adherence to infection control procedures during hand hygiene, PPE use, and environmental hygiene during training and auditing.
  • Discuss the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement process when providing feedback.

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 12/22/2025) and has awarded this program 1.0 ABN CEs.

Environmental headshot of Richard Wade Menefee III (Infection Preventionist, Environmental Health Sciences), July 2022.

R. Wade Menefee, III, MSN, RN, LNHA Master of Science in Nursing Walden University, August 2023

R. Wade Menefee, III, MSN, RN, LNHA received his MSN from Walden University in 2023. He has been a licensed nursing home administrator since 2017. He has a concentration in Infection Prevention in Long-Term Care settings. His previous background includes Staff Development Coordinator, Clinical IT Nursing, Human Resources, Nursing Leadership, Regulatory Compliance, and Nursing Home Administration. He has been married for 13 years and has 2 small children.

Environmental headshot of Shoshannah Anderson (Infection Preventionist, Environmental Health Sciences), July 2022.

Shoshannah J. Anderson BSN, RN, CIC
Bachelor of Science in Nursing University of Alabama in Huntsville, May 2004

Shoshannah J. Anderson, BSN, RN, CIC received her BSN from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2004. She received her Certification in Infection Prevention and Control through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology in 2018. She has a concentration in Infection Prevention in Long-Term Care settings. Her previous background includes Perioperative/Endoscopy Practices, Surgical Inpatient Nursing, High Level Disinfection & Sterilization, and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Prior to becoming an Infection Preventionist, she had an extensive background in the Operating Room for 10 years and has worked as a Circulating nurse and in Operating Room Leadership in which she has gleaned a wealth of knowledge and hands on experience. She is committed to sharing the “why” behind the practices of infection prevention. The mantra she embraces is, “People will be more inclined to do the right thing, if they know and understand its importance.” She has been married for 20 years and is the mother of 2 wonderful young men.

Evaluation

Pandemics, Infodemics and Information Overload: How consistent, clear communication can help in future outbreaks (November 7, 2023, 12pm CT)

In this webinar, Dr. Wallace, Epidemiologist and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, will discuss about infodemics and how they occur, talk through misinformation vs correct information and how they both can contribute to infodemics, and will review the problem of infodemics, and how we can reduce information overload and confusion by prioritizing consistent and clear scientific communication to mitigate public confusion and information fatigue. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Region IV Public Health Training Center.

Dr. Katrine Wallace, Ph.D.

Dr. Wallace holds a Ph.D. in Epidemiology and has 15+ years of professional research experience in epidemiology, research design, pharmacoepidemiology, health economics, outcomes research, and biostatistics. She is currently an epidemiologist and  adjunct assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health. She is also known as “Dr Kat” on her popular social media channels where she educates on epidemiology, vaccines, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been an invited speaker in the US and internationally, and has presented research at over 20 scientific congresses. A vaccine advocate, she serves as a member of “Team Halo” (United Nations Verified Initiative), Project FIDES (World Health Organization) and was chosen as a “vaccine luminary” for the 2021 G7 Vaccine Confidence Summit. Dr. Wallace has also been featured as an opinion contributor for The Hill, and has been interviewed or profiled in several mainstream media outlets such as; BBC World News, The  Washington Post, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, CBS News, and National Public Radio.

This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance and cosponsored by the Region IV Public Health Training Center.

Evalulation LINK

COVID, RSV, and Flu, Oh My!  Preparing for the Upcoming Respiratory Virus Season(October 25, 2023, 2PMCT/3PMET)

It’s that time of the year again – respiratory virus season! In this webinar presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and the UAB Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Strike Team, Dr. Molly Fleece, Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UAB, will review current data and projections on COVID, RSV, and influenza circulation for this upcoming fall and winter, discuss recommendations to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses, including PPE and vaccinations, and describe management strategies for containing outbreaks of respiratory viruses within nursing homes, long-term care, and healthcare facilities. This webinar is also cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety and the Alabama Public Health Training Network at the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Dr. Molly Fleece, MD

Dr. Molly Fleece is an Assistant Professor in the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases and an Associate Healthcare Epidemiologist for the UAB HealthSystem.  Dr. Fleece completed her medical degree at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.  She then completed her Internal Medicine Residency & Infectious Diseases Fellowship training at the University of Virginia.  She is a clinician educator with interests in general infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, hospital-acquired infections and infection prevention.

This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance and cosponsored by the Region IV Public Health Training Center and Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

*The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 12/22/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 CEUs.

Evaluation LINK