Who will do your job if you ’ re sick ?
Face the facts
Influenza is NOT a cold
Look out for these Whakatāne Flu Fighters from left to right : Julia Pirini , Janine Barr and Leann Schlepers .
Whakatāne Hospital Outpatients Department
31st March- 08:30 - 16:00 , 3rd April - 08:30 - 12:00 You ’ ll be asked to wait 20 minutes post vaccination unless you are returning to a clinical setting .
Influenza
Sudden onset of illness Moderate to severe illness
Fever ( usually high )
Headache ( may be severe )
Dry cough , may become moist
Muscle aches
Shivering
Bed rest necessary
Can suffer severe complications ( eg pneumonia )
A cold
Mild illness
Mild fever
Mild headache ( congested sinuses )
Sometimes a cough
Muscle aches are uncommon
A runny nose
Trolley rounds
3 April 13:00 - 17:00 4 – 6 April 13:00 - 18:00 10 – 12 April 13:00 - 18:00
Can ’ t make those times in Whakatāne ? Call or email janine . barr @ bopdhb . govt . nz , ext . 4711 to make your appointment .
Healthcare workers are often more likely to come in contact with the influenza virus , and as such are at greater risk of catching it .
The World Health Organization strongly recommends healthcare workers as a priority group for influenza vaccination , not only for their own protection and ability to maintain services but also to reduce the spread of influenza to their vulnerable patients including pregnant women .
Who will do your job if you ’ re sick ?
Every year , influenza causes the wards and waiting rooms of New Zealand ’ s health services to fill up .
A number of patients will be seriously ill this winter and your help will be needed , help you can ’ t give if you are down with influenza too .
Face the facts
Influenza vaccination is safe , effective and cannot give you “ the flu ”.
Good hand hygiene is our first line of defence against spreading infections .
80 % of people infected show no symptoms *
You would never intentionally deal with patients if you knew you had influenza – but what if you were among the 80 % who show or feel no symptoms .
You could be exposing many vulnerable patients or other staff members to your influenza without even knowing .
Being fit and healthy will not protect you from influenza
Influenza spreads very easily and up to 1 in 4 of us become infected with influenza every year , even if we don ’ t get sick . By immunising against influenza you can protect yourself and lessen the chance of giving it to your family , co-workers or a patient with a medical condition who is at greater risk of developing serious complications from it .
You are unlikely to build a natural immunity
80 % asymptomatic
20 % symptomatic
Immunity only develops after you have been exposed to a particular strain of the virus , through infection or immunisation . Influenza immunisation prepares and boosts your immune system to help you fight the particular influenza viruses expected to be circulating each year . Immunity against one strain of influenza will not necessarily protect against another .
For more information : www . fightflu . co . nz 0800- 466 863