How to Protect Yourself from Influenza this Holiday Season

Dec 2, 2015

By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire

Influenza is an infectious disease that spreads easily from one person to another. With the holidays ahead, it is important that you know the facts about influenza so that you can stay safe and help prevent the spread of disease.

Seasonal influenza, commonly known as “flu”, is an acute infection that is caused by the influenza virus, which has three subtypes: A, B and C. Within each subtype, there are several strains that change from year to year. Types A and B are the most frequent viral subtype and these are the strains found in the seasonal influenza vaccines.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seasonal influenza peaks between October and May in temperate climates. The severity and nature of the flu changes from year to year.

Prevalence

Every year, approximately 10 per cent of adults and up to 30 per cent of children have influenza. Each year, there are up to 500,000 deaths that result from influenza and up to 5 million cases are considered severe.

Vaccination

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends annual vaccination against seasonal influenza. For high risk individuals and people who spend time with anyone in this population, vaccination is especially important to prevent contamination and the complications associated with the disease. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and has been used for more than 60 years. The effectiveness of the vaccine is dependent on which strains of the virus are circulating in any particular influenza season. Since 2013, there has been a quadrivalent vaccine available that includes protection against two influenza A strains and two B strains. Prior to this, trivalent vaccines only protected against two A strains and one B strain.

Signs and Symptoms

Since seasonal influenza peaks in the winter months, it is important that you know the signs to look out for and how to differentiate between the flu and the common cold. Seasonal influenza typically presents itself with the onset of a high fever, dry cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, runny nose and general discomfort. The incubation period for influenza is approximately two days, which means that it usually takes two days between the time of infection and the onset of the disease.

The common cold also is caused by a virus, albeit a different one from influenza. Though symptoms are similar, colds are less severe than influenza and generally do not lead to complications like pneumonia, infection and hospitalisation as does the flu. Runny and stuffed noses are common symptoms for the cold, while influenza is often associated with stronger body aches, fever, extreme fatigue and dry cough. Your doctor can run tests to determine the specific viral infection.

Treatment

 The prescription treatments for seasonal influenza are known as antiviral drugs and for best results, they should be taken within 48 hours of the first symptom. Non-prescription treatments include lots of rest and fluids. Treat the symptoms that are most bothersome – pain relievers for body aches and fever, cough syrups for that annoying cough and so on.

Risks

Influenza ranges from mild to severe and in the worst cases can lead to hospitalisation and even death. Individuals at high risk for severe influenza include children aged under 2 years, adults aged 65 years or older, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems or with chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver, blood or metabolic diseases. It is important for this population to seek medical attention at the earliest sign of symptoms. It is especially recommended that this group be vaccinated against influenza, when possible.

The Spread of Disease

As previously noted, influenza is an infectious and contagious disease. It is also an airborne disease, which means that it is spread through infected particles in the air. When an infected person coughs, the virus can infect others who breathe in the particles.

The virus can also be spread by hand contamination. We are taught to use our hands to contain a cough or sneeze. As a result, infected particles land on hands and can be transmitted to others through contact.

Preventing the Spread of Disease

People with seasonal influenza should stay at home. The disease is very contagious and easily spreads. To avoid contaminating schoolmates, co-workers and the community, the best thing someone with influenza can do is to remain isolated from others.

If you are unsure if you have influenza, see a medical professional who can diagnose the disease. In the meantime, when coughing or sneezing, always use a tissue and be sure to wash your hands regularly.

Preventing the Disease

The best way to prevent the flu is to keep healthy. Eat a balanced diet, increase your vitamin C intake and if you take supplements take immune system boosters like Echinacea.

If you fall in the higher risk category make sure you get vaccinated against the flu.

Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.