Influenza Season

Are you and your organisation prepared for the next Influenza season?

Influenza is a contagious viral illness which is easily spread through workplaces. This can result in losses of productivity and morale through both absenteeism and poor performance due to symptoms.

For a very small investment in terms of time and money, a staff vaccination program can be easily implemented.

IOH offer the Fluvax vaccine released each year to protect against that year's most serious new strains.
NOTE:  because of the mutation rate, vaccinations are required annually.

Comparing a Cold to Influenza

SYMPTOMS	COLD	INFLUENZA
FEVER	rare	high fever: sudden onset, lasts 3-4 days
HEADACHE	rare	prominent
ACHES & PAINS	slight	usual; sometimes severe
FATIGUE	mild	extreme; may last for weeks
WEAKNESS	no	early & prominent
RUNNY/STUFFED NOSE	common	sometimes
SNEEZING	common	sometimes
COUGH / CHEST DISCOMFORT	mild-moderate, hacking cough	common; can become severe
COMPLICATIONS	sinus congestion, earache	bronchitis, pneumonia can be severe

Hepatitis A & B Vaccinations

HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver with symptoms of feeling unwell, aches & pains, fever, loss of appetite and jaundice (yellowing of the skin & eyes)

Hepatitis A is usually spread when faecal matter from an infected person comes into contact with another person's mouth.

Hepatitis A usually takes 4 weeks to incubate (the time between contact with the virus to development of symptoms) but it ranges between 4 weeks and 7 weeks.

The Virus is most commonly passed on in our community by:

• Ingestion of food and drink that has been handled by an infected person
• Use of eating utensils that have been handled by an infected person
• Hands contacting face after touching soiled nappies, lines and towels
• Oral - Anal sex
• Drinking or bathing in sewage - contaminated water

HAND WASHING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY OF PREVENTING INFECTION

Who should be vaccinated?

• All Child Care Workers
• Food Industries personnel
• Waste removal workers
• Overseas travellers going to developing countries
• Sewerage Workers

HEPATITIS B

• Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver with symptoms of stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, mild fever and jaundice (yellowing of the skin & eyes)

Hepatitis B is most commonly passed on in our community by:

• blood-to-blood contact with an infected person
• shared needles -such as used in drug injection, tattooing & piercing
• sexual contact including kissing on the mouth
• breastfeeding
• occasionally blood transfusions (this has been practically eliminated by very careful screening of donated blood)

Preventing infection is best achieved by:

• Education & Training of workers in safe handling of blood, used needles and other sharps as well as implements/surfaces that may have blood residue (eg. nail clippers, toothbrushes)
• Vaccination of "at risk" workers
• Availability and correct use of appropriate protective equipment and clothing

Who should be vaccinated?

• Health Care, Community Workers, Youth Workers and others who are at occupational risk of exposure
• Aged Care workers
• Food Industries personnel
• Waste removal workers
• Beach Inspectors and Lifeguards

THE VACCINATION PROGRAMS

Hepatitis A

Brief Consultation with Doctor & First Injection
Second Injection after 6 - 12 months

Hepatitis B

Brief Consultation with Doctor & First Injection
Second Injection after 4 weeks
Third Injection after 6 months
Blood Test to determine immunisation status after 9 months

Hepatitis A & B (Twinrix - combination injection for both)

Brief Consultation with Doctor & First Injection (Twinrix)
Second Injection after 4 weeks (Twinrix)
Third Injection (Hepatitis B Vax II) after 6 months
Blood Test to determine immunisation status after 9 months (optional)
or the choice of the "rapid schedule" that includes the initial injection as above, with 3 more injections at day 7, day 21 and at 12 months