How to Protect Yourself from Influenza this Flu Season

Influenza or the flu, is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Flu is often called a respiratory disease, but it affects the whole body. Symptoms of influenza infection may include sudden onset of the chills, then fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. Although it is sometimes confused with the common cold, it is a much more severe disease and is caused by a different type of virus.

Flu appears annually, mainly in winter, during local outbreaks or as widespread epidemics in every country of the world. The flu virus is constantly changing, so even though you got the Flu last year, you may get it again this year. Although the flu will usually run its course, it can be severe and cause complications, even death in individuals who have underlying illnesses.

In healthy kids and adults, influenza is usually a moderately severe illness from which most will recover from within a week. For the elderly or individuals with a weakened immune system due to other illnesses, influenza may be much more severe and can even be fatal. People with emphysema, chronic bronchitis or asthma may experience shortness of breath and influenza may cause worsening of coronary heart disease or congestive heart failure. Smoking is associated with more serious disease and increased mortality from influenza.

Flu infections are frequently associated with complications, some of which can even require hospitalization. It has been estimated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation that approximately ten to twenty percent of the population develop influenza annually. Each case of the Flu is usually associated with approximately five to six days of restricted activity which often includes three to four days of bed rest. Do the math and you will see the huge effect the Flu can have on health and productivity each year.

The Flu can be transmitted person to person in a number of ways. By sneezing, a sneeze carries flu at 167 km/h over a distance of 5 meters in 1/10 second. Other ways the virus is commonly passed is breathing, talking, coughing and touching contaminated objects then transferring germs to the respiratory system. You can simply catch the flu by being in the same environment as someone with the flu. Ever notice that you often get sick after air travel? You were likely exposed to a virus due to being in a closed environment with circulated air for hours at a time.

Vaccination is the single most effective protection against influenza. Vaccination is an injection of a small amount of the virus. This is not a live virus and cannot cause influenza. Vaccination before exposure to the virus allows the body to build up immunity and avoid infection.

Vaccinations are required every year as immunity only lasts twelve months. As winter is peak flu season, a vaccination in autumn will give you the two weeks needed to develop immunity and will provide maximum protection at four to six weeks after immunization. If you have already contracted flu, unfortunately a vaccination won't stop the onset of symptoms.

Vaccination offers between seventy and ninety per cent protection against the strains covered by the vaccine. The vaccination provides immunity for approximately twelve months, so annual vaccination is required to provide ongoing protection.

According to the National Health and Medical Research Council's Immunization Handbook, influenza vaccine is the single most important preventive measure. While not offering 100 per cent immunity, people who have been immunised and still contract influenza, experience significantly less severe symptoms of a shorter duration and are therefore less likely to develop serious complications.