Workplace Safety



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)What is the difference between the flu and the common cold?? Both colds and flu’s infect organs in the respiratory tract including the nose and throat. They come with unpleasant symptoms like fever, cough and blocked nose. However, the common cold and influenza differ in their severity, and the pattern of symptoms they produce.The common cold tends to be less severe and is typically associated with runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. These symptoms are less common with influenza, a more serious infection which usually produces a dry cough, body ache and headaches.SymptomColdFluSeverity of symptomsUsually mildMore severe – confining to bedDuration of symptoms7-10 days10-14 days or longerOnsetGradualSuddenFever / Chills / sweatingUncommon or mildCommon and moderate-severe – usually highBody?acheUncommon and mild for nose and throatCommon and severe for whole bodyJoint pains / headache and fatigueUncommonCommonFatigueMildSevereCoughMild and may not begin until 4 or 5 days after other cold symptomsDry and commonly severeRunny or stuffy noseCommonCommonSneezingCommonLess commonSore throatCommonCommonDiarrhoea and/or nausea and vomitingUncommonCommon in children more than adultsAppetiteReduced appetiteLoss of appetiteWhat is the flu?The flu (influenza) is caused by a viral infection and is highly contagious. It is a potentially serious illness. It is easily spread from person to person by airborne fluids when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by touching surfaces where the flu virus is present. The flu is a serious condition, and complications arising from the flu can be debilitating and potentially life threatening.Check out the chart below to see the difference between a cold and flu.?Why should I get vaccinated?Your best protection against the flu is to get vaccinated. Getting a Flu Shot early in the year, between March and May, before the height of flu season can result in a drastically reduced risk of becoming infected and spreading the virus to others.?What is Vaccination?Vaccination is when you are administered a vaccine, normally by an injection. Being vaccinated causes your body’s natural defence mechanism – your immune system – to build up a resistance to that specific bug you are being vaccinated for, “immunising” you and protecting you from future infection.The flu vaccine uses inactive components of the virus to protect you from the flu without you actually contracting the illness.I got vaccinated last year; do I need to get the flu vaccine again this year?The flu virus is capable of changing form at a very rapid rate, resulting in different strains circulating in the community each flu season. The influenza virus changes from year-to-year, and any previous flu shot may no longer be effective. Each year the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends which strain of the flu virus Australians should be immunized against to best protect themselves. The vaccine available this year is the quadrivalent vaccine for the 2017 flu vaccination program. The quadrivalent vaccine is designed to protect against four different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. Furthermore, your immunity against the flu decreases over time. For these reasons it is important to be vaccinated against the new strains each year.Which influenza vaccine?The vaccine available this year is the quadrivalent vaccine for the 2018 flu vaccination program. The quadrivalent vaccine is designed to protect against four different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses.??How effective is the flu vaccine?Its effectiveness can depend on a number of factors. These include: age, existing medical conditions as well as the similarity between the virus strains included in the vaccine with those circulating in the community. Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent contracting the flu; however it is not a guarantee that you will not be infected.?Am I protected from the flu straight after being vaccinated?Your immune system takes time to actively defend against the flu, and it may take up to 3 weeks to reach maximum protection. This protection normally continues through for a full year. This is why the best time to be vaccinated is in March to early May to allow for full protection during peak flu season (July-Sept).?Are there side effects of the flu vaccine?While there are side effects associated with flu vaccination, most are very mild and short term (normally lasting no more than 48 hours). In children under five years of age these side effects may be more noticeable. They may include: Drowsiness or tirednessMuscle achesLocalised pain, redness and swelling at the injection siteOccasionally, an injection-site lump (nodule) that may last many weeks but needs no treatmentLow-grade temperature (fever)While routine paracetamol is not recommended after every vaccination, it can be used if a fever developsVery rarely more serious side effects can occur, however these tend to be allergic (anaphylactic) reactions to components in the vaccine.Should you be concerned that your side effects are persisting for too long, are more severe or are concerning you, be sure to contact your GP, go to your nearest hospital emergency room or, if required, call 000.Can I get the flu from the vaccine??No. You can only get the flu from contact with the living flu virus. The flu vaccine contains killed or inactivated influenza viruses, so you cannot get influenza from it. You may sometimes experience mild flu like symptoms post vaccination but this is not the flu, it is a common vaccine reaction and will pass within one to two days. ?The flu vaccination cannot and does not protect against; the common cold, pneumonia, bronchitis and any other respiratory illness that is not influenza.?The flu vaccine does provide protection against the specific strains of the flu that researchers believe will be causing illnesses during the flu season. It is still possible to get the flu after having a flu vaccination, either because you were one of the few people that were not fully protected or because the strain you got was not included in the vaccine. However, you are still less likely to have serious complications from the flu if you have had the flu vaccine.What strains of influenza are included in the 2018 flu vaccination??The World Health Organization has recommended that vaccines for use in the 2018 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain the following:?In 2016, the Australian Government decided to use the Quadrivalent flu vaccine for the first time. It was included in the 2017 National Immunisation Program and will be followed through in 2018.Quadrivalent flu vaccines?(four strains) are designed to protect against four different strains of the influenza virus. WHO vaccine advisors recommend the below composition for Southern Hemisphere’s 2018 flu season:H1N1 – an A/Michigan/45/2015 pdm09 – like virus;H3N2 – an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 – like virus;B virus – a B/Phuket/3073/2013 – like (Yamagata lineage) virus;B virus – a B/Brisbane/60/2008 – like (Victoria-lineage) virusMore details about the most recent influenza vaccine recommendations can be found at: former Southern Hemisphere trivalent vaccine protected against the first three, which contained only one out of two B virus lineages that existed. This additional B strain provides broader protection for people who received the immunisation.Vaccine availability estimates in Australia are expected by week 2-3 of March. Due to Easter break taking place in the last week of March, it would be wise to book your flu vaccination program early to get the best pre-season pricing from an appropriate company. Source: am fit and healthy so why do I need it??Being fit and healthy does not protect you against influenza infection. There are direct benefits from flu vaccination to you as an individual, as well as for your school or workplace at the CSO.? Being unaffected also has the benefit of you being less likely to transmit the infection to your household, work colleagues, students and school community or other workplace. ?Who should have the flu vaccination??Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone. Health NSW advise that vaccination is highly recommended in groups who are at a higher risk of contracting complications from influenza or provide essential community services. Is?it safe to have the vaccination if I’m pregnant??Pregnancy places otherwise healthy women at increased risk for serious complications from influenza, including death. Inactivated influenza vaccine can be safely and effectively administered during any trimester of pregnancy. Similarly, there are no health hazards for mothers or children who are breast-feeding. Please discuss this with your GP first.?Who must not have the flu Vaccination??Check with your GP or Specialist beforehand if you:have a serious allergy to eggs and/or chicken feathers.have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccination.have had a past history of Guillain-Barré syndrome.NB: Anyone who has a fever must wait until they recover before being vaccinated.?When should I have the flu vaccination??Flu vaccine should be given during Autumn each year, before the winter outbreaks of the flu begin. The vaccine usually becomes available from around late March and once administered the vaccine takes two weeks to become fully effective. The potential benefits of flu vaccination are reduced the further towards and into winter the year progresses, as you are more likely to get or have had the flu by then. As such, it is recommended that the vaccination is received before the end of June.???Why is getting vaccinated/immunised so important?Immunisation not only protects you against potentially suffering from the flu (and the potential serious complications associated with that), but it also protects those around you. Being fully immunised prevents you potentially transmitting the flu to your loved ones and anyone who you may come into contact with, resulting in a healthier community. The more people who are vaccinated in the general public the lower the risk of infection to those who either cannot be immunised (due to illness or allergy) or are at higher risk of complications from contracting the flu. Having your flu shot not only is not a good thing for you, but for everyone!?Who is entitled to receive a free flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in 2017 from their GP or alternative immunisation provider?People aged 65 years and overAboriginal and Torres Strait people aged six months to less than five yearsAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are aged 15 years and overPregnant womenPeople aged six months and over with medical conditions that can lead to complications from influenza such as people who- have heart disease; or- have lung disease or asthma; or- have another chronic illness, including diabetes and renal failure; or- have chronic neurological condition, including multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders; or- have an immune compromising condition, including HIV infection; or are aged 5 to 10 years and are receiving long-term aspirin therapy or are pregnant.If you meet any of the above criteria, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist about vaccination under the National Immunisation Program.When is flu vaccination not appropriate?For certain patients, vaccination may not be appropriate unless they have discussed it with their GP or specialist. People who this might apply to include; Patients who currently have an illness resulting in a fever greater than or equal to 38.5oCPeople with a lowered immunity caused by either a medical condition or medical treatment.People who have had a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis following a previous dose of the vaccine in question, or to a component of the vaccine.Patient with a history of Guillian Barré syndromePatient with a bleeding disorderPatients with severe chronic diseasesIf you are in any way unsure as to whether or not the flu vaccine is appropriate for you, it is always best to check with your GP before receiving the flu vaccine.Should you have any further questions, make sure you contact one of the following before you get the flu vaccine:Your doctorYour local pharmacistEmergency department of your nearest hospitalYour local government immunisation serviceMaternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) Tel. 132 229NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)National Immunisation Information Line Tel. 1800 671 811References:Australian Government Department of Health – “Australian Influenza Surveillance Report and Activity Updates” (available at: )The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition (available at: Click Here)Australian Influenza Surveillance Report and Activity Updates (available at: )Better Health Channel - Influenza (available at: Click HereBetter Health Channel - Influenza (Immunisation) (available at: Click Here)Influenza Specialist Group (available at: )World Health Organization - Influenza (seasonal) (available at: Click Here)World Health Organisation - Hand Hygiene: Why, How & When? (available at: Click Here)World Health Organization – ‘”Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the southern hemisphere 2016 influenza season and development of candidate vaccine viruses for pandemic preparedness (available at: Click Here) ................
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