When you have the flu, you suddenly feel sick. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Because there are different types of flu viruses that are constantly changing, you can get the flu again and again. Flu-like symptoms such as cough, cold and fever can also be caused by other viruses such as the cold virus or norovirus (stomach flu). Flu is different from a common cold, with a cold you are often less sick. Flu is contagious. You can pass it on to someone else, so that they also get sick.
What are the symptoms?
After contracting the flu you will feel poorly within a few hours. The symptoms are:
- Fever (38 degrees or more)
- Headache
- Muscle ache and fatigue
- Cold shivers
And you will experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Difficulty breathing
Incidentally, you can experience flu-like feelings will many other illnesses, so they don’t always mean that you actually have the flu.
How can you avoid getting the flu?
Try to avoid infection:
- touch your nose and mouth as little as possible
- use paper tissues
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- Ventilate your home
- Regularly clean doorknobs, faucets and bannisters
Flu Jab
By getting a timely flu jab you’ll ensure that you are better protected against the flu for a year, thus reducing the likelihood that you’ll have to stay home sick. And even if you are unlucky enough to contract the flu, it will be milder and you’ll recover sooner. It’s best to get your jab between October and January, because the flu season can run from October well into the New Year. More vulnerable people, for example the elderly and people with little immunity, receive a call for a flu shot from their gp every year. Even if you do not belong to one of these groups, you are welcome to drop by KLM Health Services’ Travel Clinic for a flu jab.
The flu jab and your company
Would you like to protect your employees against the flu and thus avoid the kind of absenteeism that it can cause? KLM Health Services offers companies the option of having their employees vaccinated by appointment. If you’d like to receive more information about the flu jab for your company, call us on: (085) 401 6211, or email us.