Cold and Flu: What Can You Do?
Cold and flu season happens every year but we always hope it won’t happen to us. How can you protect yourself and your workplace?
Do you wonder if getting a flu shot is actually important? The United States government thinks it is. They have encouraged the production of 146 million doses of flu vaccine – more than ever before. While symptoms of the flu may seem harmless, the flu can be life-threatening for some adults and children. A new recommendation this season is to vaccinate all children aged 5 to 18 years.
The flu is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by varying strains of the influenza virus. The flu virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. As a result, infected droplets are in the air and inhaled by others.
The infected droplets may also land on smooth surfaces, such as doorknobs, computer keyboards, or phones, and picked up by your hands. The germs are then transferred to your nose, eyes, or mouth where the virus gets absorbed. Adults may spread influenza for one day before they start experiencing symptoms and remain contagious for up to five days after becoming sick.
Symptoms from the flu usually start suddenly and include a high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea also can occur but are more common in children. The flu usually lasts for seven to ten days. There are three to four days of pure misery and the tiredness may linger for several weeks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the “single best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine.”
When should I get vaccinated?
Yearly flu vaccination should begin in October with those most at risk and continue into December and January. Because 80% of flu outbreaks occur after January, you are safe in receiving your flu vaccination in November.
Your body needs approximately two weeks to respond to the flu vaccine and give you maximum protection. Therefore, even receiving a vaccination as late as Thanksgiving will give you protection by the peak of flu season.
Can I get the flu from a flu shot?
No. The three flu viruses in the flu vaccine are inactivated and, therefore, cannot cause infection.
What about people who get sick after they get a flu shot?
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They may have been exposed to the virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period it takes for their body to gain maximum protection from the vaccine.
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They may be sick from other non-flu viruses that have symptoms similar to the flu.
- They may have been exposed to a strain of influenza that is not included in the vaccine.
What are some other ways to prevent the flu?
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Wash your hands frequently. Use an alcohol-based gel if you do not have access to water.
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Cough and sneeze into a tissue. Throw out the tissue and wash your hands.
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Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. They are the places where the virus enters your body.
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Viruses can live on surfaces for several hours so wash any shared surfaces including doorknobs, computer keyboards, and phones.
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Remind employees that being sick at work, puts co-workers and their families at risk.
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Set a good example by encouraging healthy lifestyles including regular exercise and good nutrition.
Printable Information Guides (PDF Format):
For more information, go to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu.
If you have any questions regarding the flu and flu vaccine, please contact the Lancaster General Health Wellness Center at 544-3286.