3 Steps to Take to Prevent Influenza
1) Get immunized!
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Immunization is the best prevention. Staying active and being healthy may not be enough to protect you from the influenza virus, but getting vaccinated every fall can. |
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Immunization side effects are minor. Most commonly, mild soreness at the vaccination site is the only side effect. |
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The influenza vaccine can’t give you the flu. The flu vaccine must meet the very highest standards. In order to offer you the most effective protection, the vaccine must contain part of the virus itself - but the virus is dead and cannot give you the flu. |
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The influenza vaccine is for everyone. True, the elderly and the ill are most severely affected by influenza. This means each of us should get vaccinated not only for our own good health but also to lower the risk of passing the virus on to people who could die from it, such as a grandparent. |
| FACT: |
New flu strains mean a new vaccine each year. Each year the World Health Organization identifies the particular strains of influenza the new vaccine must protect against. The vaccine is then produced to be most effective against those strains. Each year, you need to receive the new vaccine to be effectively protected against influenza. |
"Immunization is a modern miracle," says Dr. Danuta Skowronski, a physician epidemiologist with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. The immunization does many things – it reduces the incidence of the flu, its severity, its duration and your level of infectiousness. Many people can get the shot for free (if you’re elderly, a health care worker or have a health condition), and a growing number of companies are offering them to their employees. Even if you have to pay for the shot yourself, it’s a bargain: about $10 - $15 at your doctor’s office or local public health clinic.
Still not convinced? Here are the numbers showing the vaccine’s efficacy, from the Mayo Health Clinic:
- 70 to 90 per cent prevention rate in healthy recipients
- 30 to 50 per cent prevention in elderly recipients
- 50 to 70 per cent reduction in total hospitalizations
- 50 to 85 per cent reduction in deaths
The only reason to avoid the vaccine is if you’re severely allergic to eggs (it’s grown in an egg base).
2) Get immunized before the season heats up!
October to April is flu season. Get immunized in time and take preventive steps. Remember your last year’s vaccination won’t protect you this year.
As you now know, a bout of influenza can leave you bedridden 5 to 10 days and full recovery may take up to 6 weeks.
If you participate in team sports...
or if you just have a very active social life...
Influenza could keep you out of action for weeks!
3) Handwashing Helps to Protect You
Consistent, thorough handwashing is the cornerstone of preventing the spread of any infection.
Handwashing will decrease the number of disease-causing organisms, such as most bacteria on the surface of your skin.
To be effective, you should wash your hands before and after preparing meals, after using the toilet or providing care to someone who is ill. Use warm, running water, soap, plenty of friction and a clean towel or paper towels to dry your hands. Healthy, intact skin is the first line of defense against infection so good skin care is essential.
Reference: www.chica.org/links_handhygiene.html
How to wash your hands:
- Remove jewelry before washing your hands.
- Rinse hands under warm running water. This allows for suspension and washing away of the loosened microorganisms.
- Lather with soap and, using friction, cover all surfaces of the hands and fingers.
- The minimum duration for this step is 10 seconds; more time may be required if hands are visibly dirty.
- Frequently missed areas are thumbs, under nails, backs of fingers and hands.
- Rinse under warm running water to wash off microorganisms and soap.
- Dry hands thoroughly with single-use towel or air dryer. Drying further reduces the number of microorganisms.
- Reusable towels are avoided because of the potential for microbial contamination.
- Turn off faucet with the towel to avoid recontaminating hands.
The efficacy of a hand wash depends on the time taken and the technique. It is important to avoid potential microbial contamination by splashing of clothing, other skin surfaces or inanimate items during hand washing.
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