Top Tips to Fight the Spread of Cold and Flu

There have been more than 160,000 laboratory confirmed notifications of Influenza in Australia up to July 2019, which is more than double the number of cases for 2018. With this flu season hitting hard and early this year, prevention is the best strategy to stay healthy. Follow these easy tips to stop the spread of flu this year.

1. Get the Annual Flu Vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended by the Australian Government for everyone aged 6 months and over to protect against the virus. It is the single best way to prevent individuals from contracting the flu. People at higher risk of influenza complications (see Who is at risk) are strongly recommended to have an annual influenza vaccination (free of cost) including pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses like asthma. The optimal time to get the vaccine is before the peak of the flu season, however it can be administered throughout the season. Although it doesn’t prevent 100% of cases, the vaccine will reduce the severity of the flu and the risk of complications. With pharmacies, GPs, and some health clinics offering the vaccine, getting immunised is easier than ever.

1. Wash your hands regularly and properly with soap and water, particularly after touching your nose or mouth, and before handling food
2. Sneezing and coughing into your elbow or tissues then throwing them away immediately and washing your hands.
3. Clean surfaces. The influenza virus is highly contagious and can survive on hard surfaces for more than 8 hours. Give surfaces such as your keyboard, telephone and door handles a regular clean to get rid of germs.
4. Get more sleep. Achieving restful sleep each night (8 hours) helps the body repair itself and build the immune system.
5. Get plenty of exercise. Exercise helps to increase circulation which makes it easier for immune cells to get around the whole body, searching out viruses. It also stimulates the lymphatic system which helps to eliminate toxins and waste,

Looking after yourself when you have the flu...

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU INCLUDE:

• rapid onset of fever
• headache
• muscle aches, shivering and joint pain
• fatigue/ extreme exhaustion
• sneezing
• runny nose
• sore throat
• cough
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea in children.

Most people recover with rest, drinking plenty of fluids and use paracetamol or ibuprofen for the relief of pain and fever. Aspirin should not be given to children under 18 years of age unless specifically recommended by a doctor

• Stay at home – stay away from work or school and avoid contact with others as much as possible while the infection is contagious. The period during which adults are contagious is usually around 3–5 days from when the first symptoms appear, and up to 7 days in younger children. Symptoms such as cough and tiredness may persist for a couple of weeks.
• Drink plenty of fluids – extra fluids are needed to replace those lost because of the fever (through sweating). If your urine is dark, you need to drink more. Try to drink a glass of water or an oral hydration solution like Hydralyte, every hour while you are awake.

When to get seek further help…

The flu can be more serious than a common cold and cause complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections and even heart conditions. See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe vomiting or fever with a rash.

References

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/flu

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/colds-and-flu

https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/22Jul-Aust-Flu-Stats-2019.pdf

Australian Journal of Pharmacy, Vol 100 Number 1185, July 2019

Posted in: Health hub