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Protect Yourself Against Seasonal Influenza

Influenza like symptoms include;

• fever

• cough

• sore throat

• runny or stuffy nose

• body aches

• headache

• chills

• fatigue

• Some people may also have

• vomiting and diarrhea

 The facts about the seasonal influenza vaccine

• A yearly seasonal influenza vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.

• While there are many different influenza viruses, the seasonal influenza vaccine protects against three seasonal viruses which would be circulating during the winter. It works against two Influenza A virus and one  Influenza Bvirus..

• Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious influenza complications: people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 55 years or older.  These persons are entitled for free vaccination from health centres.

• Seasonal influenza vaccine also is important for health care workers.

• A seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect you against H1N1 influenza.

Preventive actions to take not to fall ill with influenza.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you are sick with influenza-like illness, stay at home for 7 days from onset of illness.

• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

You can find more information, on www.health.gov.mt/dsu or call the help line on 21324086

Thanks to Dr Charmaine Gauci MD,MSc, Dip(Fit&Nut), Ph.D, FRSPH, Director Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for this article.

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