"I'm sick and I'm off" - "me too!" Flu!!!

Every year, cold and flu outbreaks result in hundreds of missed office days for workers especially health care workers in the hospital. The problem often stems from - when a worker comes to the workplace sick and spread germs via touch points. Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.

Often times germs, bacteria, and viruses are found on doorknobs, keyboards, desks, and railings. The threat of infections lurks on every surface workers touch, and on every door handle they open.

That is why it is important to know how to prevent their spread. It means knowing what tools - soap or sanitizer - to offer and where.

Hand sanitizers are best at killing microorganisms where hand washing helps to take out the microorganisms from our hand. Even though among these two, hand sanitizers are best in case of easy accessibility. But you can kill them, but science shows that those germs can repopulate pretty quickly. You never kill 100 percent of the germs when you're using hand sanitizer. So repeated hand hygiene is needed whenever possible.

"Hand sanitizers are never a suitable replacement for washing your hands if your hand is visibly soiled.

Along with, early recognition of your sickness and early medical advice always helps you and your workplace to prevent further spread. If you recognized that you are sick - be away from others - seek medical advice. Say no for shake hands - even your friend can offer you FLU.

Cleaner hands reduce the risk of cross-contamination and goes a long way in creating healthier facilities. In fact, a strong hand hygiene program can reduce absenteeism by a fairly significant number.

The best way is always following WHO's 5 moments of hand hygiene. i.e,

• Before contact with the patient
• Before an aseptic/clean procedure
• After contact with the patient
• After exposure to patient body fluids
• After contact with patients surroundings

and 6 steps of hand hygiene...

• Palm to palm (5 times)
• Left palm over right dorsum (5 times)
• Right palm over left dorsum (5 times)
• Palm to palm with fingers interlaced (5 times)
• The back of fingers to opposite palm - fingers interlocked (both hand)
• Rotational rubbing of right thumb by the left palms (5 times)
• Rotational rubbing of left thumb by the right palm (5 times)
• Rotational rubbing of the tips of right fingers by the left palm (5 times)
• Rotational rubbing of the left fingers by the right palm (5 times)

Most importantly take your flu shot before you get sick with flu....

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called "trivalent" vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. There are also flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called "quadrivalent" vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.

Remember - the vaccine should be new and if it's not - you may not be covered.

Seek medical advice for the prophylaxis if it is necessary..