Page 14 - PR Mag May19

2019 FLU SEASON

The 2019 flu season is well underway, with an increase in
cases being reported in comparison to the previous year. In
fact, three times as many cases have been reported this year,
with the majority of the cases coming from Queensland, New
South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
Influenza is caused by influenza viruses, which are highly
contagious via respiratory droplet transmission. Influenza
type A and B cause the majority of disease in humans.
Genetic changes to proteins on the viruses result in different
strains each season, which is why influenza immunisation is
recommended every year.
Australian studies have estimated vaccine effectiveness
is between 38% and 86%. The variation depends on age,
whether a person is immunocompromised and how good
the match is between influenza strains in the vaccine and
those circulating in the community. Protection was thought
to persist up to one year, but recent evidence suggests
protection may wane from three to four months after
vaccination. May/June are the ideal months to have the
vaccination, as the flu season extends to the end of August. Protect yourself and your family, book an
TIPS TO REMEMBER:
• The more people who are vaccinated, the less likely the appointment with Doctor Donna today on
flu will spread in the community (07) 3886 5400
• If you get symptoms of influenza you will need to have a
diagnosis confirmed via laboratory tests
• Don’t forget your cough etiquette
• Wash your hands regularly
• Staying at home can prevent transmission

Australian Red Cross Blood Service Needs Your

Winter can be a difficult time for the and the donation itself only takes
Australian Red Cross Blood Service. We Help! between five and ten minutes. It’s a
have a very loyal list of donors who great chance to relax and take some
donate whenever they are able, be it ‘me’ time, all the while helping patients
fortnightly for plasma or every three in need.
months for whole blood. Unfortunately, We’ll also be setting up our Mobile Donor
winter coughs, colds and flus impact Centre on North Lakes Drive, outside
our donors as much as anyone and in the Good Guys, between Tuesday the
order to donate blood, you need to be 18th and Friday the 21st of June. There
feeling fit and well a week prior to your is also a permanent Donor Centre at
donation. This means that some of our Strathpine, only 15 minutes down the
regular donors aren’t able to donate as road from North Lakes. Located at 349
regularly as they usually do. Gympie Road, Strathpine, it is open 6
So, every winter, the Blood Service calls days a week, with sessions available
on people who have never donated both early morning, late evening, and
before, or haven’t donated for a while, on weekends, so that everyone can find
to make a donation. Because blood only a time to donate that suits them.
has a short shelf life, we aren’t able to If you are interested in donating, or
stockpile donations for when we have would like more information, you can
a downturn in donors. This means that visit donateblood.com.au, or phone 13
there can be particular strain on stocks 14 95. If you run a business, or would
coming up to public holidays and over like to donate as part of a community
Winter, which is why it is so important or church group, the Blood Service
for new donors to try their arm at runs a group donation program called
donating blood. We need more than 25 Red25. For more information on Red25,
000 donations every week to provide to please call Liam Richardson on
patients in need. 3624 0407, or email lrichardson@
Blood donation is a very simple process, redcrossblood.org.au.