Avoid flu; take the shot early

MANILA, Philippines - It is an unfortunate fact that a person infected with flu could spread the virus a day before any symptoms show.

This means that a seemingly healthy colleague you are dining with or a stranger seated beside you may be spreading flu virus without realizing it.

In a new study reported in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE, flu virus can be expelled into the air through normal breathing — not just through coughing or sneezing.

Moreover, the flu virus can live on surfaces for two to eight hours, according to the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which stands to reason that all those telephone handsets, doorknobs, pens, magazines, grocery carts, and chair armrests would be prime vectors for spreading the flu.

But you cannot stop your life just to avoid a nasty round of flu and according to experts from the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), there are ways to lower one’s risk of catching the illness.

During the recent signing of a memorandum of agreement with Sanofi Pasteur for the “Bakunado sa Flu at sa Pneumo” advocacy partnership, the PCCP explained that flu may be prevented through immunization, reiterating a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advice that the single best way to protect against flu is to get vaccinated each year.

The “Bakunado sa Flu at sa Pneumo” advocacy partnership aims to increase the awareness of PCCP members and patients on the seriousness of the disease and the benefits of vaccination, said Dr. Celeste Mae Campomanes, PCCP VP and incoming president.

The flu vaccine is especially important for children, the elderly and those who are suffering from chronic conditions since they are at high risk of developing serious and sometimes fatal complications of the flu.

If these individuals went down with flu, they may develop viral or bacterial pneumonia, muscle inflammation (myositis), central nervous system disease, and heart problems, including heart attacks, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), and inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis).

Other flu complications may include ear infections and sinus infections (especially among children), dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

Experts recommend that Filipinos get vaccinated against the flu as soon as the vaccine becomes available since flu seasons are unpredictable — while Philippine flu season is from July to December every year, it could arrive much earlier.

A flu vaccine is needed every year because flu viruses are constantly changing — it’s not unusual for new flu viruses to appear each year so that flu vaccine is formulated each year to keep up with the flu viruses as they change.

The PCCP also suggests one to practice good health habits like covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, disinfecting items before using them (using alcohol) as well as regular washing of the hands as these could also help in stopping the spread of the virus.