Vaccin8 plus
Why Vaccin8?
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WHAT IS INFLUENZA?
Influenza, or ‘flu’ as it is commonly called, is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Flu is often classified as a respiratory disease, but may affect the whole body.
The infection: begins suddenly may last 5-10 days may keep you in bed for up to 5 days can disrupt your work life or holiday plans can result in serious complications in high risk individuals
IS IT THE FLU OR A COLD?
Flu and colds can have similar symptoms but if you have fever plus two of the following, it may be the flu:
- Aches and pains
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
FLU CAN BE MORE SERIOUS THAN THE COMMON COLD.
Symptoms usually last for a week, although it may take up to six weeks to fully recover.
WHO IS AT RISK OF CATCHING THE FLU?
Anyone can catch the flu. Being fit and healthy does not stop you from getting it. You can also unknowingly infect others, as it takes 1-3 days for symptoms to appear. Flu is a highly contagious disease that spreads via: • sneezing ▪ coughing touching contaminated objects and transferring germs to the respiratory system
CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL COST OF CATCHING THE FLU
Cost of over-thecounter medicines • Taking time off work to care for sick children or other family members Missing or ruining a planned holiday
DID YOU KNOW?
Influenza’ (or flu) got its name in the 17th century in Italy because the disease was attributed to the ‘influence of the weather’. • Flu viruses can survive on some hard surfaces for up to 2 days such as door handles. taps and fridge doors. They can also survive on unwashed hands for 30 minutes and tissues for up to 12 hours.’
- Flu vaccination strengthens your natural immune system by helping it to recognise the virus
- You can’t get flu from the vaccine
- Annual vaccination is considered as the most effective protection against flu by health authorities worldwide including the World Health Organisation.
SOME PEOPLE ARE AT RISK OF SERIOUS OR LIFE-THREATENING COMPLICATIONS FROM INFLUENZA, eg. asthmatics, diabetics, and those who suffer from chronic heart or lung disease.
ANYONE CAN GET THE FLU
FLU Even people who are young and healthy can get the flu. But some people are more fragile and therefore more likely to get flu and develop complications.
National Immunisation Program (NIP) The following groups are eligible for a free seasonal influenza vaccine.
- All individuals aged 65 years and over
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over Individuals aged 6 months and over with medical conditions predisposing to severe influenza. as stated in the table below.
Medical Conditions associated with increased risk of influenza disease complications.
- Pregnancy
- Cardiac Disease
- Chronic respiratory disease’ Diabetes and other metabolic disorders
- Renal disease
- Chronic Neurological Disease’
- Immune impairment og
- HIV infection
- Long term aspirin therapy in children aged >6 months to 10 years
- Haematological disorders
Children who have any condition that compromises the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration should be vaccinated.
Although not funded on the NIP. other individuals with at-risk conditions including Down Syndrome, obesity and alcoholism should consider an annual flu vaccination.
Onsite Flu Vaccinations Sydney
Where nurses come to you.
