A SMALL, RELATIVELY PAINLESS NEEDLE IS THE ONLY DISCOMFORT, AND THE POSITIVES FAR OUTWEIGH THE NEGATIVES WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINES. How do I catch influenza? People catch influenza through exposure to the influenza virus, usually from another person already infected. Winter is the peak activity time for influenza, and it all comes down to the air getting drier in the winter. When a person carrying the virus sneezes or coughs, the virus becomes airborne in tiny droplets of water, which can then infect anyone they come into contact with. In humid weather, like the Australian summer, the droplets containing the virus pick up water and grow larger making them more likely to fall to the ground quickly. In colder weather, the droplets stay airborne longer, making it more likely to be picked up by a passer-by. Spending more time indoors with people who may be carrying the virus during the winter - for instance on public transport - also increases infection rate. The shorter days during these cooler months also lead to less sunlight exposure and lower vitamin D, which can help boost the body’s immune system, making people more vulnerable to infection during this time. The good news is that influenza is a vaccinepreventable illness, however a new vaccine is needed each year as influenza viruses change and mutate constantly. The virus can change so much in one year that the vaccine given the previous year is no longer effective. A new influenza vaccine is prepared each year to best match the strains predicted for the coming season. Should I have an influenza vaccination? A seasonal influenza vaccination given each year before winter is the best way to prevent the flu. People at higher risk of complications from influenza are strongly recommended to have the annual vaccination. The most high-risk group of people are those over 65 years of age, and especially those suffering from a repository condition. People of any age who have respiratory conditions such as asthma or emphysema are also encouraged to get a yearly vaccination. Contrary to popular belief, the influenza vaccine does not contain any live viruses and therefore cannot cause the illness. The vaccine, however, can take two to three weeks to reach its full potential and consequently the flu can still be caught in this time. Serious adverse reactions to the influenza vaccine are rare, with the most common reactions being local redness and swelling of the injection area. Other mild symptoms can include headache, mild fever and sore muscles, which may occur in 1-10% of people vaccinated - but these symptoms are limited to a 24 to 48 hour period. If you have had the flu, you know how hard it can hit. It can take two weeks or more to recover, and you will likely need time off work. Plus, you’re at risk of spreading the flu to family and friends, so it’s a good idea to consider a yearly flu shot. What if I don’t like needles? A small, relatively painless needle is the only discomfort, and the positives far outweigh the negatives when it comes to vaccines. The phenomenal outcomes from vaccines are well and truly documented. Smallpox has been eradicated, and the last death in Australia from measles was in 1995. Pindara Magazine 16 2017
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Ten
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