Picture this scenario: You are going on a holiday and feel all bright
and sunny in anticipation. Suddenly, just a day before you are to jet off, you
fall miserably ill and can barely drag yourself out of bed to pack and get to
the airport.
What’s worse, the rest of your
trip is ruined not just for you, but also for your family, with your incessant
sneezing and hacking away.
We all know the misery of being
sick in a strange country – when what was supposed to be a much deserved
holiday turns into a nightmare.
Catching the flu is not a
pleasant experience, and the symptoms (e.g. fever and sore throat) are not
unfamiliar to us.
The flu is easy to catch as it is
spread through the inhalation of air droplets which are released when an
infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. You can also get it when you touch
contaminated shared surfaces such as tables, arm rests or door handles.
But with a little bit of forward
thinking and planning, you can guard yourself and your loved ones against the
unpleasant effects of the flu.
You may have already bought a
travel package for a family vacation this December. Don’t ruin it for everybody
by taking these five necessary precautions to keep healthy:
Get the shot
An influenza vaccination may
sting for a minute, but it’s nothing compared to the agony you will face in the
scenario above.
Travellers are recommended to
vaccinate two weeks before leaving the country.
Do not think you can skip the flu
shot because you are healthy. Healthy individuals should go for an influenza
vaccination because the flu virus is ever adapting, and our immune systems may
not always be up-to-date. Hence, a yearly vaccination will help update our
immune systems against nasty surprises.
If we protect ourselves, we
protect our loved ones too.
The flu vaccination is strongly
recommended for the elderly and their caregivers, very young children aged six
months to five years, and people with low immunity or suffering from a chronic
disease such as diabetes. Pregnant women will also benefit from the shot.
The flu vaccination is easily
available at all polyclinics and most private clinics. Ask your doctor for more
information.
Wash your hands properly
Do you often just wash your hands
with running water? If you do, then you are doing it wrong.
Washing your hands with water can
sufficiently remove visible dirt, but you’ve forgotten about germs. Germs are
not visible to the human eye, and you need to use soap along with water to get
rid of them.
During travel, washing facilities
may not be readily available. So remember to pack a hand sanitiser and use that
instead.
You should wash your hands:
Before and after meals
Before handling food
Before caring for a loved one
(babies, the elderly)
After using the toilet
After blowing your nose (even
with a tissue)
After touching shared surfaces
like tabletops, doorknobs, handrails, etc.
Use tissues or masks
Pack lots and lots of these
essential items. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms before or during
your trip, always put on a mask.
This way, you protect your family
and friends from catching the flu bug from you.
Cover your mouth and nose with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze. This prevents the release of respiratory
droplets into the air, protecting your loved ones close to you.
Dispose of the used tissues into
a covered dustbin and wash your hands after doing so.
Head to the doctor
Would you rather pay for a
doctor’s consultation and medication, or much more for a ruined holiday? Not
the latter of course.
If you suspect you are down with
the flu, see a doctor immediately, rest in and wear a mask until you have
recovered.
Even if you don’t feel too sick,
note that most adults with the flu virus are infectious even before symptoms
develop and up to seven days after becoming sick. Children may carry the virus
for more than seven days.
Stay home
If you are unwell, rest at home.
Avoid school, work, travel and crowded places to prevent the spread of the
virus to others.
Take a breather from physical
activities like running and jogging.
With the right hygiene habits and
an understanding of how the flu virus spreads, we can keep ourselves and our
loved ones safe.
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