Bonitas Member Magazine B-Living - Issue 2 | Page 22

Keep the flu away
Flu season is here! And if you’re worried about catching it, read on to learn more about
influenza – what it is, how it’s spread, and who’s at greatest risk of getting it. After all, knowledge
is power when it comes to preventing flu!
But what is the flu?
Influenza, or the flu, is a very common viral infection that
affects millions of people every year. The total effects of
the flu are tremendous, especially when days lost at work
are factored in. The difference between the influenza
virus and other viruses is that the influenza virus changes
its appearance every season. Therefore our immune
system does not recognise the virus and we get the flu
again. In the case of chicken pox, for example, once the
body has been exposed to the virus and the immune
system has reacted, protection is long term. However,
this is not the case with the influenza virus.
An annual flu vaccine is recommended
It is particularly recommended for individuals who
are at high risk not only for the infection, but also
its complications. This includes people on chronic
medication for chest, heart and kidney problems;
pregnant women regardless of the stage of pregnancy:
and children from the age of six months. Young children
in particular, have an immune system that is not yet
fully developed. As a result, they are very susceptible to
getting the flu. In addition, children are often exposed to
a high degree in crowded environments such as crèches
and pre-schools.
The flu vaccine is the most effective form of
prevention
For individuals who get the vaccine every year, the
response of the immune system is improved and they
often get very good immunity. Many people have the
misconception that the vaccine makes a person sick. This
is not true. The influenza vaccine protects against the
influenza virus only. In winter especially, there are lots of
viruses that cause respiratory tract illness. These include
the rhinovirus, for example. As the most common cause
of a runny nose, the rhinovirus will flourish in winter, even
if a person has recieved the flu vaccine.
Other preventative steps you can take
Avoid close contact with other people who have the
flu and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing, to help prevent the spread of the
disease. Protect yourself from germs by washing your
hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and
mouth as this can spread germs.
People who work in environments where they come into
contact with many other people should also get the
vaccine. Individuals who are immunosuppressed for any
reason are protected by the vaccine, as are the elderly.
In fact, the vaccine is strongly recommended for anyone
over the age of 65 years. For children over the age of
six months receiving the vaccine for the first time, two
doses are indicated. These should be given one month
apart. If the child has had a flu vaccine before, only one
dose is required. Up to the age of 8 years, the dose of the
vaccine given to children is half the adult dose.
Symptoms and signs of the flu
Symptoms of the flu include secretions from the nose,
cough, fever, a sore body, diarrhoea and vomiting. If
caught early enough