Preparing your family for winter
Everyone in the community can prepare for winter
by immunising against influenza. Whilst vaccination is not mandatory,
parents
and guardians are encouraged to discuss the options with their
local GP and weigh up
whether this vaccination is for them. Ultimately prevention is
much better than a cure and you may save a life.
Influenza is easy to catch in crowded areas and confined spaces. It is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread from person to person through droplets when infected persons cough or sneeze. Symptoms include fever and chills, coughing, body aches and pains, fatigue and headaches.
Flu vacs is worth the shot
Currently, Australian guidelines recommend immunisation of
children, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions
considered at high risk of severe influenza.
There is no doubt that children have an extremely high incidence of influenza. It is estimated that, on average, 20%–43%* of children are infected during typical influenza seasons and the incidence is highest in young children less than 2 years old, who are often hospitalised. Death due to influenza in infancy is second only to that in the most elderly patients
Signs and Symptoms
There are several obvious flu symptoms people should look out for:
- Sudden onset of fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Tiredness
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Runny/stuffy nose
Often people call a severe common cold 'the flu', but they are quite different illnesses. Symptoms of influenza usually start suddenly with a high fever and you may feel sick enough to go to bed. Influenza is a much more serious illness and tends to make the whole body ache, whereas the common cold usually affects the nose and throat only.
The symptoms of a common cold include:
- a runny or blocked nose
- sneezing
- minor throat irritation
- mild fever
- a feeling that your ears are blocked
- coloured mucus or nasal discharge - this means that your immune system is fighting the infection.
People can avoid both the common cold and influenza by:
- Practicing preventative measures: wash your hands, and keep your fingers away from your eyes and nose.
- Avoid close contact with cold and influenza sufferers.
- Help your immune system: get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, eat well-balanced meals, sleep for 7-8 hours per night, and regular exercise
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Dress appropriately for winter conditions.
- Consult your doctor for an annual flu injection. Although not 100% effective, the vaccination dramatically lessens the severity of the flu (but has no effect on the common cold).
- Be aware of household items that have been handled by flu patients — wipe them down with mild antiseptic.
- Contact your GP if you are sick - save the emergency department for emergencies
Practical ways to treat the symptoms of common colds and flu:
- Don’t use antibiotics
Antibiotics won’t help a common cold or flu. Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria and do not have any effect on viruses such as colds and flu. Most viruses are fought and overcome by your immune system.
- Treat the symptoms
Over-the-counter cold remedies, decongestants and simple pain relievers may relieve some cold symptoms, but will not prevent, cure, or even shorten the illness. However, they can make you feel better!
- Drink plenty of fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids is essential to prevent dehydration. Hot honey and lemon drinks are a great way to soothe the throat and help to clear the nasal passages and sinuses. Also try inhaling steam. To assist with a sore throat, try throat lozenges, gargles and throat sprays.
Take it easy and stay at home:
Shifting into lower gear by staying at home - with plenty of rest - is a good idea until you're feeling better. You won't be popular if you spread your cold around the work place. Likewise if you have children who are sick, keep them at home. Whilst it can be tempting to maintain your routine and attend playgroups, mums clubs and gatherings for your children, kids can spread germs quickly and often colds or the flu can linger for some time or develop into my serious conditions, so ensure you keep your germs at home.
Will antibiotics help me get better?
Antibiotics won't stop your cold from getting worse and will not stop infection spreading to other people. Importantly, using antibiotics when you don't need them may make them less effective when you do need them. Antibiotics may cause side effects like stomach upsets, diarrhoea and thrush.
What is the difference between a virus and a bacterium?
Viruses are tiny infectious germs that live within the cell. Because they are so small, antibiotics do not work against viruses. Bacteria are larger infectious germs and live outside the cell.
Winter Emergencies – ASTHMA
As well as the flu, complications from conditions such as asthma and chest infections are far more common in winter.
With winter upon us, it is important to reinforce how serious asthma is and how fatal it can be.
To prepare for winter, people with asthma should:
- Get a flu vaccination
- Get an Asthma Action Plan from their GP. Asthma is a very individual disease and this plan is tailored to their individual condition
- Take preventer medication as prescribed. It increases protection from asthma and is especially important during the winter months when prime winter triggers like airborne viruses and air pollution are around.
- To remove known triggers such as animal dust, fur and mould from around the house.
Basic tips to assist someone suffering from an asthma attack include:
- Position the person upright
- Loosen tight clothing around the neck
- Assist a person to take their prescribed medication
If a person presents with severe shortness of breath or asthma and is unresponsive to prescribed medications dial 000 immediately and ask for Ambulance.
First Aid Courses
Everyone is encouraged to learn first aid should they be confronted with a medical emergency. This can give you the confidence to assist when someone is injured or ill.
Information sourced from the Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW Health Department and the Medical Journal of Australia
*Medical Journal of Australia 2009
Ambulance is committed to assisting the community create safer and healthier environments and outcomes by making prevention everyone’s businesses. A number of innovative community education programs have been implemented to assist identify life threatening conditions, understand what to do in an emergency and the importance of adopting illness prevention strategies.