www.bradyandassociates.ca

September 2012

Vol 2, Issue 9

             

Workplace Health

 

Prepare Now

for Flu Season

 

Welcome

 

Welcome to Workplace Health, our monthly online newsletter highlighting wellness within the workplace.

  

We look forward to providing you with timely, beneficial information to keep you updated on legislative changes and enhance your corporate well-being.  

 

What is Flu?  

 

Influenza, commonly known as "the Flu", is a serious, highly contagious, respiratory infection caused by a virus. It affects the nose, throat and lungs. Along with respiratory problems and fever, it  can cause muscle aches, weakness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.  

 

coughThe virus is easily transmitted from person to person via airborne droplets spread through an infected person's coughing or sneezing.

It is also spread by direct contact with contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs and faucets.

  

Influenza can affect people of all ages, but is most often a more serious problem for very young children, the elderly and those with certain underlying medical conditions. The effects of the Flu usually last from two - seven days, however the cough and fatigue can last several weeks making the return to full activity difficult.

 

Some people may experience complications such as pneumonia and become seriously ill requiring hospitalization.  Recent Canadian government statistics show approximately 20,000 people are hospitalized and between 2,000 and 8,000 die annually due to influenza complications.

 

Flu season in Canada runs from late October right through to April during the colder weather months.

 

 

Taking precautions against the virus before it strikes is the best way to remain healthy throughout the season.

 

In This Issue
What is Flu?
How the Flu Shot Works
Why Do I Need the Flu Shot?
The High Cost of Flu
Quick Links
  
 
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Flu Clinic  

 

How the Flu Shot Works

 

The flu virus strains circulating the globe change on a regular basis. Each year in February, the World Health Organization (WHO) isolates three virus strains based on the viruses that are in circulation at the time and on viruses that are expected to circulate the following winter. Scientists then prepare flu vaccine from inactive flu viruses which cannot cause infection. The same vaccine is manufactured and distributed worldwide to support the global fight against influenza.

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Last year's vaccine is not like this year's vaccine. There are three different viruses that can cause flu. Vaccines that protect against each one are included in the 3-in-1 seasonal flu vaccine. One or more of these components is changed every year because the influenza virus itself has changed. Because the vaccination changes yearly as the viruses change, it is very important to get a flu shot every year.

   

The vaccine can prevent influenza illness in 70 - 90% of healthy adults and children. An unpredicted new strain of the flu virus may appear after the shots have been produced and distributed. This means that even if you get the flu shot you may still become infected. However, because the vaccine will still give you some protection, the illness is usually much milder.

 

It takes about two weeks after immunization for the vaccine to provide protection from the virus and resistance to infection can last up to one year. That's why "the earlier the better" is the best plan when preparing for your flu shot.

 
I'm Healthy... Why Should I Get the Flu Shot?

 

Most of us believe that by getting a flu shot we are protecting ourselves from illness throughout the flu season. While this is indeed true, we are also helping to ensure that our families, friends and colleagues remain healthy. flu daytimer

  

"I get the flu shot for selfish reasons. How would I feel if I didn't get the flu shot and then infected someone I cared about? Influenza can kill. What if someone died because I didn't get the flu shot? I don't want that on my conscience."

 

-Dr. Anne Carter, Medical Officer of HealthLanark,

Leeds Grenville Public Health Unit

 

If those around us have also been vaccinated, the odds of any of us getting sick with the flu are greatly lowered. Those who are not vaccinated may be carriers of the disease, even if they do not show any symptoms or get sick themselves, unintentionally passing on the virus to others. The risk of serious illness, and even death, then becomes considerable for those people who are most susceptible to the virus.

 

People with compromised immune systems, older adults and young children are often those who suffer most from the influenza virus. They aren't strong enough or healthy enough to combat the illness. People who think they are healthy may have underlying medical issues they aren't aware of and if infected may develop acute illness, even though they assumed they were perfectly healthy. 

 

In severe cases influenza can progress into pneumonia and lead to death. Remember... between 4,000 and 8,000 people die annually in Canada due to complications from the flu virus. 

 

So if you haven't yet considered getting your flu shot this year... Think about those around you as well as of your own health and get your flu shot early. You may even be saving a life!

 

 

flu 

Be sure to get your flu shot this year!

 

The High Cost of Flu 

   

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According to the latest results released from Statistics Canada, nearly 21 million hours of work were lost in the month of November 2009. 

 

The report shows that 1.5 million people were absent that month from work due to flu.

 

This is equal to about 9% of all working people in Canada between the ages of 15 and 69. 

 

This number increases slightly to 12.4% when broken down to include only those employees with children who lost work hours as a result of the flu, whether they themselves were sick or they were caring for sick children. 

 

In the same month, 600,000 people put in an extra 8.6 million hours to cover for the work lost.

 

How does this correspond to your bottom line?

 

In Canada, it is estimated that 40% fewer absences in the workplace can be tied directly to worker immunization against influenza (Regional Infection Control Network). The Public Health Agency of Canada concludes that 1.5 million workdays are lost each year due to influenza. This translates into a $1 billion cost to the Canadian economy annually in healthcare spending and lost productivity.  money 

 

  

The undisputable fact is that lost hours equal loss of productivity, plus the increased costs of temporary labour, which can dramatically affect your company's bottom line.  

  

Further, the U.S. Department of Labor states that having employees immunized in November rather than December can save an employer between $63 and $95 per person.

 

 

 

All the more reason to hold your workplace flu clinic early in the season!

 

Book Your Flu Clinic NOW

 

Brady and Associates Inc. is now booking for our Fall Corporate Flu Clinics. Our program launches this month and space fills up quickly, so now is the time to plan your workplace clinic.

 

In order to help your employees maintain optimal health throughout flu season and ensure your business continues to run smoothly and productively, be sure to secure your flu clinic as soon as possible.   

flu shot   

 

Book Your

2012 Flu Clinic

Today!

 

1.866.598.8FLU(8358)

 

www.bradyandassociates.ca
 
 

  

 

This month marks the one year anniversary of our online newsletter format. We hope you find this information useful. Please let me know if the information we provide is helpful or if there are topics you would like to see featured in future. Your feedback is very important to us.
Please feel free to call me at any time if I can be of assistance to you in supporting your healthy workplace initiatives.
 
Best Regards, 

 

Sue Brady
Brady and Associates Inc.