Influenza

Written by Seamus Linnane for the Herald & The Irish Independent

Influenza cases have skyrocketed in the first weeks of 2018. GPs, pharmacies and hospitals have all seen very high numbers of patients presenting with influenza like illnesses. For most patients it’s a dreadful week of sickness and malaise. For some it’s a life-threatening or tragically fatal illness. Outlined below are five tips that everyone can follow to help manage the virus that has been sweeping the country since before Christmas. 

Know the Enemy: 

Flu is highly contagious. You get flu from another person by inhaling or ingesting droplets of infected secretions. Droplets can float in the air and be inhaled. Alternatively, droplets can land on hard surfaces where the virus can survive for several hours. Anyone touching that surface can transfer the virus to their eyes, mouth or nose and become infected.  

Stop the Spread: 

The aim here is not to allow influenza virus - wrapped up in someone else’s saliva or mucous – enter your body. Wash your hands frequently especially after contact with an infected person. Soap and water is better than hand sanitizers. Wipe down infected surfaces with antibacterial wipes. 

Protect Yourself:

If the virus does get through then the next best defense is flu vaccination. The number of cases in Ireland is peaking around now. Infections may continue till March. So while there is still time to catch flu there is still time to get immunized. Flu vaccine is never 100% effective but that doesn’t mean its not useful. The vaccine prevents the infection from developing or lessens the severity of a flu. All health care workers and anyone with a chronic illness should be immunized. So too should the very young, elderly and pregnant women. 

Recognise Flu: 

If you have to ask it probably isn’t. Most people report profound fatigue, aches and pains, fevers, coughs and sneezing. There is more than one type of influenza this year. There are lots of other respiratory viruses circulating also adding to the general misery. 

Listen to your body: 

If you do get sick then give your body the chance to clear the infection. Don’t go into work and infect your colleagues. You are infectious for about a week. Stay at home, take plenty of rest – you wont have much of a choice. Stay hydrated and stay warm. Treat fevers, aches and pains with over the counter remedies such as paracetamol. Cough and sneeze into disposable tissues and bin them. If you have an underlying condition such as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease or diabetes then you may need to see your doctor. Unusually severe symptoms may also need assessment. For the majority of us however it’s a matter of toughing it out and vowing it wont happen again next year.