EFFINGHAM - While most people prepare for flu season by stocking up on cough medicine and tissue, Illinois Department of Public Health officials are passing along guidelines that could help reduce spreading influenza viruses and reduce the chances of a flu pandemic.

Registered nurse Lynne Reagan of the department's Champaign regional office was in Effingham last week as part of a flu pandemic exercise for area health care providers and health departments. A pandemic is an illness that occurs over a wide geographic area.

Reagan told the group that while Avian or "bird" flu continues to be a great concern to U.S. health officials, any kind of influenza has the potential to be devastating.

"Influenza kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people worldwide every year," she said. "In the United States, that's 36,000 deaths."

While the very old and the very young are at the greatest risk of death from influenza, Reagan said respiratory infections and bacterial pneumonia can cause life-threatening complications. In addition, flu viruses are always evolving.

"The viruses are constantly changing, so we end up with multiple strains of the same sub type of virus," she said.

As the viruses change, it can take up to six months to identify a vaccine for the new form and even longer to produce sufficient supplies. That's why Reagan said everyone should be prepared to practice prevention.

One way is to stay healthy. Get a flu shot to protect against the current-season flu, and if you're older than 65 or have a chronic illness, get a pneumonia vaccine.

Make good hygiene a habit and wash your hands often with soap and water.

A sneeze can send flu droplets into a 3-foot radius. Make sure you cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or even your upper sleeve, and wash your hands after coughing or sneezing. Keep hand sanitizer handy.

Should a pandemic occur, Reagan said almost every aspect of life could be disrupted. These could include services provided by hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices and post offices.

Communication also would be important. Kim Hunter Perkins of the Douglas County Health Department has a volunteer group ready to help deal with the special needs of her county, with its large Spanish-speaking and Amish populations.

"It's important to have communication in place so that you can reach the immigrant population, both legal and illegal," she said. "In the case of the Amish, they don't have television, radio or telephones, so most of your contact is literally door to door."

Hunter Perkins' group of volunteers includes 36 registered nurses.

"Volunteers would be very important in an influenza crisis," Reagan said.

But, a pandemic can cause problems most people never think of. Business closings could mean reductions and loss of income. Schools could be closed for an extended period, so parents should have a backup plan for child care and learning materials and recreational activities that can be done inside. Seniors who depend on home health services, delivered meals and transportation services could need additional help from volunteers.

"Sometimes, it's just as simple as buying an extra can of food when you go to the store," Reagan said. The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends a week's worth of nonperishable food and water be kept on hand.

sharonhrnews@yahoo.com