HOW TO PREVENT THE FLU

Use the same health directions for flu as for COVID-19 pandemic

Aswe move into flu season, it’s important to refresh ourselves on how to prevent and treat cold and flu symptoms. There are many activities, such as practising good hand hygiene, covering sneezes, and maintaining social distancing that are now daily habits due to COVID-19. As we know, viral infections are highly contagious, so it’s important not to become complacent when it comes to these basic hygiene measures. This is particularly important for the older generations, as death as a result of complications from flu is more common in people over the age of 65.

The 2019 flu season in Australia was one of the deadliest on record, however, last year, in 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures, we saw a decrease in flu cases. This proves that by consistently maintaining good hygiene and taking other precautionary measures, we can potentially avoid witnessing another killer flu season.

What is the difference between cold and flu?

Firstly, let’s delve into the difference between cold and flu. Colds are very common, however not as severe as flu. A cold typically comes on gradually and the recovery period can take up to a week, whereas a flu comes on more suddenly and symptoms can be severe lasting up to two weeks.

Here are some common cold symptoms:

• Cough

• Headache

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sneezing

• Sore throat.

There are a few cold and flu symptoms that overlap. In addition to the common cold symptoms noted above, flu may be accompanied by the following:

• Aches and pain

• Dry cough

• Fatigue

• Fever.

The incubation period for influenza is usually one to four days however, in some cases, seemingly healthy adults can infect others before symptoms appear and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.

How to prevent catching the flu? 1. Flu Vaccine.

The best way to prevent influenza is to receive the annual flu vaccination. The vaccines are created to protect against specific strains of the virus which research indicates will be most common in the coming season. Each year, the prominent strains of flu change, which is why it’s necessary to get the updated vaccine annually.

2. Diet.

Eating a diet rich in foods that fuel your immune system will help your immune system and prevent you from falling ill. In order to maintain a healthy and functioning immune system, fresh food such as fruit and vegetables are key. Green leafy vegetables in particular are a rich source of iron, which helps with the production of white blood cells and antibodies that fuel your immune system. Try also to consume lots of colourful fruits which are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and water.

3. Hygiene.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that hygiene is key when it comes to stopping the spread of a virus. If you are unwell, make sure you cover coughs and sneezes to prevent those around you from getting sick. Be vigilant with washing your hands to avoid catching and/or spreading any virus.

4. Stay home if you are sick.

If you are feeling unwell, stay home from work, school and other public places to help prevent spreading your sickness to others.

5. Avoid sharing food utensils & clean surfaces.

Clean and disinfect all surfaces around the house and at your workplace regularly if someone is sick. Ensure that you are frequently sanitising and cleaning surfaces which are often touched, such as door handles, television remotes and phones. Make sure you throw away any dirty tissues immediately after use to avoid spreading viruses and germs to surfaces.

Top three take-away points:

• The best way to prevent influenza is by receiving an annual flu vaccine.

• Diet and hygiene can have a huge impact on the health of your immune system.

• Know the difference between cold and flu symptoms.

Dr Ryan Harvey, House Call Doctor Clinical Director. Dr Ryan Harvey joined the House Call Doctor team in 2015 and is now the service’s Clinical Director. He also currently works in General Practice and has recently opened On Point Skin Cancer Clinic in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, Queensland, with the focus on providing professional, timely, affordable skin cancer treatment. Dr Harvey is experienced in paediatrics and has travelled extensively, administering medical care to children in remote overseas communities.