Causes
There are three major viruses of influenza that affect human beings, influenza A (Swine flu or H1N1 and H3N2), B, and C. The first two viruses, A and B, can be dangerous and may lead to severe diseases such as pneumonia or even death. For that reason, annual flu vaccination programs target these types of influenza viruses. There are many ways in which influenza can be transmitted from one person to another. Some of the common ways include sneezing, by air through coughing, and contact with the virus directly through people’s hands and hard surfaces. The flu can be very dangerous and cause complications such as pneumonia and chest infections for young children and elderly people.
Symptoms
The flu symptoms normally appear three days after acquiring the infection. Some major symptoms include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, chills, high fever, muscle aches, tiredness, and headache. Most people who get the flu suffer for around four weeks and then recover. However, in some cases, victims can develop severe health problems such as pneumonia, sinus infections, bronchitis, liver complications or blood system complications which might lead to hospitalisation or even death.
Prevention
One of the best ways to prevent flu and other associated illness is by having the annual flu vaccination, you can either visit your General Practitioner (GP) or speak with your employer to arrange for a workplace flu vaccination program. It is important to note that you should have the flu vaccine every year since the virus continuously mutates. The vaccine protects against the flu strains, which are most available each winter season. Research indicates that the influenza vaccine is very effective in protecting people from the flu, especially in the cold months of July and August.
Would you like to know more about how to prevent the spread of the flu or influenza at work? Just drop us a line or simply give us a quick phone call to find out more.
Introducing Aitor Aspiazu, your go-to flu expert and a Registered Nurse accredited by AHPRA (NMW0001159845). Boasting over two decades of experience in healthcare, Aitor has navigated everything from Emergency Departments to Corporate Wellness Programs—and yes, he’s even battled the flu himself. As the Founder and Lead Nurse Consultant at Corporate Care, he’s the driving force behind workplace health and well-being. No longer in scrubs, he’s now at the forefront of healthcare innovation, leveraging Artificial Intelligence and automation to revolutionise workplace health and well-being. As the Founder and Lead Nurse Consultant at Corporate Care, he’s the visionary behind cutting-edge flu vaccination programs that keep businesses running smoothly. Off-duty, he’s a proud dad and a Padel addict who represented Australia in the World Padel Championship. Trust Aitor; he’s got your back when it comes to flu prevention and modern healthcare solutions.