The true cost of the Flu.

It is estimated that the cost of flu to an employer can be as much as £500 per person.  Compare this to the price of a single preventative shot of around £15.  Let’s be honest – it makes sense to think about it at least? 

Flu is unpleasant and can lead to severe complications including death.  We all know people talk about different types of flu…. 

There is the flu that caused you to be unwell for a few days (that is really a cold)….  

There is the flu that took you to your bed for a day or two (that is maybe a really bad cold)…

Then there is the mother of all flu.. The one that completely floors you.  The one that gives you:

  • Severe fatigue
  • Sort throat, high temperature
  • Shaking Chills
  • Lethargy 

The difference – a cold comes gradually and can last for up to a week or sometimes even more depending on the weather, your immune system and general health. 

The Flu… Well the Flu hits you like a brick.  It comes on quickly and it is severe and lasts around 1-2 weeks and beyond.  Without the appropriate treatment chest infections, severe complications and even death can occur. 

Globally there are well over 500,000 deaths annually and rising every year. 

So, what can you do to prevent flu both personally and in the workplace?

Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself from flu this winter:

  1. A simple flu vaccine – tailor made to the strains of the season.
  2. Practice good healthy habits.  Think Hand Hygiene. Think Coughing and sneezing etiquette. 
  3. Maintain a good immune system. Look after body and eat a healthy diet.  Those with  poorer immune systems are afforded the vaccine already but are you doing enough to protect yours.  Fruit, Vegetables, Vitamins, Supplements.  There are so many things we can do to keep healthy and strong this winter.
  4. Quit Smoking
    Inhaling cigarette smoke lowers the effectiveness of the immune system against exogeneous threats.  Not only that but people who smoke have a more exaggerated response to the flu and other viruses.  Did you know that smokers are more likely to die than non-smokers during flu epidemics.

Interesting Facts

  1. The flu jab cannot give you flu. 
  2. Every year, different strains appear therefore you need to be vaccinated annually. 
  3. It takes less than 15 minutes to be vaccinated.

50%

Did you know?

A single doorknob or tabletop contaminated with the flu virus can spread the virus to over 50% of the work force in less than four hours.