Education, prevention reduce cost of flu

Although the severity and exact timing varies from year to year, the flu season typically starts in October and runs through March. Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose – these symptoms become more prevalent in public places, particularly the workplace.

Up to 49,000 people in the U.S. and approximately 500,000 worldwide die each year from seasonal influenza and its complications, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. businesses incur approximately $10.4 billion in direct costs for flu hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults, according to the CDC, not to mention the repercussions from having employees out for extended periods, either for their own illness or to care for family members.

Influenza can be highly contagious – spread by droplets created by talking, sneezing or coughing. The best way to prevent it is with a vaccine. Available vaccines reduce the risks associated with the flu by about 60 percent, according to the CDC.

Flu viruses are constantly changing and mutating, so pharmaceutical companies are always working to identify new strains and update their vaccines. This is why it’s important to get a new flu shot each year.

The flu can cause a huge disruption in municipal business, particularly in smaller communities with small staffs. Encouraging employees to get the vaccine and to use daily prevention practices is an important task for local leadership at this time of year.

Debunking myths
Some people believe that the flu is not so serious, that it is just a “bad cold.” But the fact is that the flu leads to 200,000 hospitalizations annually and kills nearly as many people as breast cancer does each year.

Another common myth is that the vaccine can actually cause one to get sick. The flu vaccine contains inactivated viruses, and studies find that the only symptoms that result directly from a flu shot are increased soreness and redness around the injection area.

Lastly, some people think because they are generally in good health, they don’t need the vaccine. Although there are high-risk groups (such as older people and those chronically ill), the CDC recommends that everyone over six months of age get a flu shot. Healthy people can spread the virus to those more susceptible, which is why health care workers are often required to get a flu shot.

Educating employees
Informing employees about the facts surrounding the flu, as well as how to prevent getting and spreading it, can go a long way toward keeping the workplace healthier and more productive through the flu season. There are a range of helpful, user-friendly resources and tools available.

The CDC website (www.cdc.gov) is the best place to start for background information, Q&As, statistics, and an electronic toolkit for businesses and employers.

Health insurance providers typically offer information for use in the workplace, and some provide flu clinics at worksites.

National Influenza Vaccination Week – Dec. 8-14 – is a good time to hold an employee education campaign. Employers may consider organizing a flu vaccination clinic at the workplace, promoting it with posters, flyers and emails, and using incentives – such as free flu shots and refreshments – to get employees to participate. Employers that can’t host a flu clinic onsite can educate employees about where to go in the community for a shot and be flexible about allowing employees to take time to go.

The CDC’s list of “good health habits,” which can be shared with employees, includes reminders about avoiding close contact, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and keeping hands and work areas clean.

Employers can also make clear to employees that they should stay home when sick in order to stop the spread of the virus – and take the time to see a doctor in case treatment can help with shortening illness and preventing complications.

Additional informational resources are available at www.flu.gov, WebMD.com, and from the Harvard Medical School (www.health.harvard.edu/flu).

Wendy Gammons is the Wellness Coordinator for the MIIA Health Benefits Trust.