It feels as though we’ve been talking about infection prevention for 2-years now, but as Winter approaches and New Zealand opens up, we can expect to see more cases of influenza (flu) in our community. Staying healthy is about lots of choices we make about our diet and lifestyle, as well as vaccination and keeping up good hygiene.
In 2020 we learnt much about the spread of viruses, the distance droplets can travel and how good hygiene protects us. We used lots of space, soap, disinfectants and the influenza (flu) vaccine. Flu infection rates dropped. In 2021 we have the option to add the COVID-19 vaccine to our arsenal against viruses. As influenza and coronavirus are caused by different viruses, vaccination against one does not offer any protection from the other. This means a three-step vaccination program is recommended for adults over 18 years, for most people, starting with your annual flu vaccination. Step 1: Influenza vaccine The flu vaccination offers protection for you and your loved ones against four strains of influenza. It is available for...
With the seasons changing, we are seeing more colds and flu, but becoming infected has nothing to do with being outside in the cold weather. Both colds and flu are very infectious and spread by close contact with a cold sufferer or inhaling cold virus spray in the air.
