Flu Facts
Isn’t ‘the flu’ just a common cold?
People often refer to the common cold as ‘the flu’, however influenza is far more serious. A highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs, influenza spreads easily among the workforce and results in lengthier absenteeism than a common cold.
Doesn’t influenza mainly affect the elderly?
While the elderly are a prime risk group, anyone can get influenza. Each year, the infection spreads rapidly through the community during the winter flu season from June to September.
How does influenza spread?
When a person with influenza virus coughs or sneezes, particles of the virus become airborne. This contaminates surrounding surfaces as well as the air we breathe. By coming in contact with this person, the surfaces they have contaminated or the air directly infected by virus particles the chance of contracting the virus is high.
If ill staff stay at home, won’t this contain the virus?
Unfortunately many people are unaware they have influenza at the time they are most contagious. As a result the virus is able to spread relatively unnoticed, especially in the confinement of a workplace. This risk of widespread infection is further increased by the virus’s ability to live on solid surfaces for up to 8 hours, making door handles, keyboards and phones breeding grounds for further infection2.
Does vaccination make a difference?
The annual administration of influenza vaccine is the single most effective measure in preventing or limiting influenza. Like all vaccines, it cannot provide 100% protection but is proven to prevent symptoms in over 70% of cases. Through implementing a vaccination program for healthy working adults, businesses achieve an overall cost saving 95% of the time1.
What is the vaccine made up of?
There is protection against 3 different strains of influenza included in the seasonal flu vaccine each year. These can change from one year to the next, depending on which strains are currently circulating. This decision is made by the World Health Organisation (WHO). To find out what strains the Southern Hemisphere seasonal flu vaccine will protect against in 2010 please see page 6 of the WHO article.
Is the H1N1 “swine” flu strain included for 2010?
Yes it is included.
Should I have a flu vaccine if I have already received the H1N1 “swine” flu vaccine?
Yes you should. Your previous “swine” flu vaccination will not protect you against the other two influenza strains likely to be circulating during this flu season. Receiving a 2nd dose of the H1N1 strain will not make you sick3.
Does the influenza vaccine cause any side effects?
Despite many people’s perception, the influenza vaccine does not contain live or active virus particles which means you cannot ‘catch the flu’ by getting the injection. The vaccination is well tolerated by most people, with the most common side effect being redness, swelling or itching around the injection site. Other mild symptoms of headache, fever and sore muscles may occur, but are limited to a 24 to 48 hour period after administration. It is important to know that serious side effects are rare; however medical bodies recommend people with an anaphylactic reaction to egg avoid the vaccine as they are used in its development process.
1. Nichol KL. Cost-benefit analysis of a strategy to vaccinate healthy working adults against influenza.
Annals of Internal Medicine 2001; 161:749-759.
2. Bean B, Moore BM, Sterner B. et al. Survival of influenza virus on environmental surfaces. J Infect Dis
July 1982; 146(1) : 47-51.
3. http://www.h1n1vax.com.au/s1/cs/auvx/1247066992580/content/1247066992420/content.htm