As a member of a healthcare staff, you are likely to come into contact with the flu throughout the upcoming winter season. As a medical professional, you're probably well aware of the complications that the seasonal flu can cause for a functioning medical facility. Coworkers, patients and staff can all find themselves battling the illness with little warning.
The seasonal flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can quickly spread between people. The virus can develop as a mild sickness and eventually lead to a severe illness and, in some cases, lead to death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets every year to determine the strain of the virus that will most likely infect the greatest amount of people in the United States. The latest batch of vaccines for the 2012-2013 influenza season has begun shipping already from manufacturers to medical faculties, pharmacies and other public clinics across the country.
Due to your increased chance of coming in contact with the flu, you may want to consider getting vaccinated against the illness. Vaccinations are highly effective at preventing the spread of the disease and can help you go through the entire winter season without having to take a sick day. Especially important for caregivers who are most likely to be exposed to the virus on a daily basis, a vaccination reduces the chance of catching the illness from one patient.
A healthcare staff may also prepare for the upcoming flu season by supporting "wash your hands" initiatives. These programs promote the importance of repeated, thorough hand washing to the public to reduce the spread of the flu. The public is often unaware of how this simple habit can drastically reduce their chance of contracting the illness. Everyone should remember to wash their hands after coughing and sneezing, before they touch their face, before preparing and eating food and after using the restroom. Teaching the public to use soap and warm water liberally while washing from between the fingers to the top of an elbow and everything in between can help a healthcare staff reduce the risk of the flu virus spreading.