#TurksandCaicos, October 23, 2023 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services wishes to remind the public to be vigilant during this influenza season. Influenza (flu) season reoccurs annually during the cooler months and is characterised by a prevalence of outbreaks of Influenza. Seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as September, however, most of the flu activity often peaks between December and February.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that hospitalisation and death due to seasonal influenza occurs
mainly among high risk groups. Worldwide, these annual epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and about 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths.
Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week without requiring medical attention. However, influenza can cause severe illness or death, particularly among high-risk groups including the very young, the elderly, pregnant women, health workers and those with serious medical conditions.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to keeping the Turks and Caicos Islands population healthy, and persons are advised to visit the Primary Healthcare Clinics within their respective communities before they have the flu to receive the influenza vaccine which is given free of charge.
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
Signs and symptoms of the flu include: –
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headache
Seasonal influenza spreads easily, with rapid transmission in crowded areas including schools and nursing homes. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets containing viruses (infectious droplets) are dispersed into the air and can spread up to one meter, and infect persons in close proximity who breathe these droplets in. The virus can also be spread by hands contaminated with influenza viruses. To prevent transmission, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and wash their hands regularly.
It is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months have a flu vaccine annually. Vaccines are safe and effective particularly in vulnerable groups in preventing severe disease and hospitalisation.
Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications, and for people who live with or care for the people at high risk.
The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends annual vaccination for the following groups:
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- Children aged between 6 months to 5 years
- Elderly individuals (aged more than 65 years)
- Individuals with chronic medical conditions
- Health-care workers
Treatment usually focuses on relieving symptoms of influenza such as fever. Patients should monitor themselves to detect if their condition deteriorates and seek medical attention early.
In addition to having a flu vaccine, the Ministry of Health and Human Services would like to recommend the
following health tips that can help to prevent the spread of the infection:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or long enough to sing the birthday song twice.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth (germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth).
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too, particularly those who are in the vulnerable group.
- If you or your child is sick with the flu or flu-like symptoms, stay home from work, school and daycare. You will help prevent the spread of your illness to others.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill.
- Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, manage your stress and be physically active.
- Everyday preventive actions can help slow the spread of germs that can cause many different illnesses and may offer some protection against the flu.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. Get your Flu shot today!!!
For more information, contact your Health Care Provider or the Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit on 338-2772 or 338-4942.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
