The Flu – What You Need to Know
Posted on September 22, 2014
Did you know that a deadly disease is set to hit the shores of the US, UK and much of the rest of the northern hemisphere in the coming months?
Not only will it swamp our hospitals, thousands of people will die and many of them will be in the US and Britain. In fact, it is estimated that between 250,000 and 500,000 worldwide will die.
In spite of our medical professions best efforts, there is still no reliable cure, and no vaccine, that is currently available, offers effective protection for longer than a few months at a time.
If you are like me, you have been paying attention to the recent, terrifying headlines! You may assume this deadly illness is the Ebola virus.
Instead, the above depiction actually refers to seasonal flu. Yes, you heard that right – not swine or bird flu, but regular garden variety influenza.
In the coming months, almost none of us will catch the Ebola virus. However, many of us will get fevers, headaches, shivers and more.
Ebola is a horrific disease that kills more than half of people infected by it, though with specialist western treatment that death rate would likely fall a little. It’s unsurprising that the prospect of catching it is a scary one. The relief is that it’s not all that infectious: direct contact with bodily fluids of a visibly infected person is required, meaning that, compared with many illnesses, it’s easily contained.
Influenza is highly contagious. Did you know you can catch the flu from a person from up to six feet away, even before that person experiences symptoms?
According to the CDC, People with the flu can spread it to others up to about 6 ffeet away. Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.
So what can you do to prevent getting the flu?
• First and foremost, get the flu vaccine.
• Stay away from people who are sick, wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based or anti-bacterial hand cleaners.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. Eating utensils can be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap and do not need to be cleaned separately.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work and school, especially if someone is ill.
• And, if you should get the flu, stay home!
Don’t forget to take my quick weekly quiz to see how much you have learned today!
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