Fall flu season is on its way – with or without a re-emergence of an H1N1 (aka "Swine flu) influenza outbreak. Be ready or be sorry. Read more H1N1 flu information.
It might be easy to become overly focused on the potential threat of a swine flu pandemic and miss the danger posed by the usual seasonal influenza threat, due to arrive on schedule this fall and winter.
Image courtesy of CDC/Judy Schmidt
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This year it is especially important to plan to get a regular flu shot – as well as any shots for swine flu that will possibly be available.
IBT, in conjunction with Superior Health Staffing, Inc. (SHSI), is offering an extensive program of in-plant flu immunizations, starting in the fall. Sign up now and save the dates to reserve your flu vaccine. It is in short supply this year.
Why Use IBT Wellness for Flu Shots?
IBT and SHSI are experienced service providers to industrial workplaces and understand this unique environment. With that strong background in industrial safety and hygiene, their wellness programs can alleviate workplace health risks through various audits, evaluations, compliance recommendations and other wellness services.
Why Immunize Against Flu?
The influenza virus kills people: more than 35,000 Americans in a typical year. But, it also does a lot of damage to victims that it does not kill. Flu is a miserable illness: fevers of up to 102°F / 39°C that can last three to four days. It delivers general achiness which can become severe. In the aftermath of the acute stage, patients can have general fatigue and weakness that can last for several weeks. Extreme exhaustion is another symptom, as is coughing, which can be severe. The flu is something you should avoid – especially when the immunization shots are so readily available and effective.
Image courtesy of CDC
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Why Do It At Work?
You are already there. It will only take about 15 minutes to get set up and get the injection. Even people who are unhappy with needles report that it is quick and is relatively pain free. If you are going to protect yourself against influenza, at your job is a pretty good place to do it. And, many employers realize the wisdom of paying for the shot, as it prevents outbreaks of illness in the work force.
What Risk Does The Flu Represent?
To the individual: severe illness that can be deadly. At the least, it is highly debilitating and has effects that can last days or even weeks. An infected individual can spread the illness to friends, family and co-workers. Nobody needs the flu.
To the company: infected workers miss days on the job. They can spread the illness around the company, compounding the negative impact. If people come to work while sick, they are less productive because of feeling badly – and they can harm the others by spreading infection. The cost of prevention is modest. The cost of infection spreading within the organization is not.
Who Should Be Protected?
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), anyone who wants to reduce the chance of getting the flu can get vaccinated. Because during flu seasons vaccine supplies can be limited, people should make arrangements for vaccination as early as possible.
Seasonal flu vaccine should be available starting in September, so planning needs to start in late spring or early summer.
Image courtesy of CDC/Brian Judd
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Flu Spreads Through Close Contact With People Who Are Sick:
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
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If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
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Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
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Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
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Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
When Is The Flu Season?
While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
Image courtesy of MCR
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In Addition To Shots, How Do You Prevent Flu Outbreaks?
Flu is spread by contact with infectious agents. Here are some very effective ways to protect yourself:
What About H1N1?
Nobody knows for sure what the future of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus will be. But medical science is progressing on the assumption that a recurrence of the strain – possibly in a mutated form – will present a problem in the U.S. this autumn.
As a result, work is underway to produce a vaccine to immunize the general public against a possible pandemic outbreak. Making a completely new influenza vaccine can take five to six months.
When a vaccine is made available, IBT Wellness, in connection with Superior Health Services, will make in-plant vaccinations available at a nominal cost.
For more information about influenza immunizations through IBT – or about any of their other wide range of industrial health and safety services, contact IBT.
