Tuesday 8 May 2018 12:42pm
Let’s do this … Get vaccinated against influenza, which can lay people low for five days and keep them coughing for up to three weeks.
Free vaccination clinics on campus have attracted about 2,100 staff – an increase on previous years so far – and the final full-afternoon clinic is upstairs in The Link today, between 1:30pm and 4:30pm.
University of Otago Occupational Health Nurse Cath Logan wants to thank everyone in the Health and Safety Compliance team who have been working very big days during the clinics, and says “it is great that the University funds the vaccine for us all”.
University staff on the Wellington campus get free vaccinations at clinics run by the Capital & Coast District Health Board, and on the Christchurch campus at clinics run by the Canterbury District Health Board. Staff at Otago premises in Auckland and Invercargill can be vaccinated by their family doctor then reimbursed by the University.
The Ministry of Health says influenza spreads quickly and usually lays people low for five days but can keep them coughing for up to three weeks – even worse, the ‘flu can spark serious and potentially fatal complications, especially for babies, older people, and anyone with asthma, diabetes or other long-term health conditions.
‘Flu facts – from the Ministry of Health
Immunisation is the best defence against influenza – even fit and healthy people should consider getting vaccinated to protect themselves.
People with influenza should stay at home until they are better. The flu spreads quickly through touch and the air. Symptoms come on suddenly and include:
- fever (a temperature of 38°C or higher)
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhoea.
People with influenza should seek urgent medical advice if they have:
- a high fever that doesn’t come down, especially if pregnant
- chills or severe shaking
- difficulty breathing or chest pain
- purple or bluish discolouration of the lips, skin, fingers or toes
- seizures or convulsions
- signs of other serious conditions, such as meningococcal disease (which may include severe headache, sleepiness, vomiting, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, and sometimes a rash).
Look out for signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, and not passing urine regularly. Let the doctor know if you were starting to feel better, then got worse.
If caring for a person with influenza who becomes less responsive than normal, unusually quiet or confused, call a doctor urgently.