Three tips to help you fight the flu this winter
17 June 2010
The peak season for influenza is upon us, that’s why Barraba Multi Purpose Service is urging the community to take simple precautions to help reduce the spread of this highly contagious and debilitating illness.
Barraba MPS Manager Cathy Stein said people could drastically reduce the spread of influenza, including H1N1 (swine) Influenza this winter, by being vaccinated and remembering to use good hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of illness.
Barraba MPS Visiting Medical Officer Dr Deepal Gunasekera said the H1N1 Influenza strain can be particularly dangerous in certain groups who are more vulnerable to flu than others. These groups include people who have medical conditions such as chronic kidney, liver, heart or lung conditions (including asthma), people with diabetes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and pregnant women.
“Many people still believe that the pandemic H1N1 Influenza doesn’t pose a significant threat to our health,” Dr Gunasekera said. “But we need to remember that in the last influenza season, infection with this flu strain resulted in over 1400 people being admitted to NSW hospitals, and 54 people died in NSW due to H1N1 influenza.”
Dr Gunasekera said community members over 65-years-old, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander People and people medically at risk are also eligible to receive a free seasonal influenza vaccination even if they have already been vaccinated against H1N1.
Dr Gunasekera said another simple way of protecting your family against debilitating illness like influenza, is to practice effective hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
“Remembering to clean your hands is the easiest way to help ensure you and everyone you know stay healthy this winter,” Dr Gunasekera said. “When we neglect to clean our hands, we unknowingly spread germs from place to place and to other people.
“Also use ‘cough etiquette’,” Dr Gunasekera said. “This means that when you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with your hand or tissue to prevent any sickness spreading from person to person. Don’t forget to dispose of the tissue after use”
“Remember to wash your hands often and if you don’t have access to a sink, think about buying an alcohol-based hand sanitiser to carry with you.
“Your friends, family and co-workers will be happy you’ve taken the time to protect everyone around you from potential infection,” Dr Gunasekera said.
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: 0428 114 767