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The Importance of Personal Hygiene and PPE 2021 Australia’s normal flu season runs from June until September or October. In the last 18 months, influenza is currently at historically low levels in Australia.
In its latest weekly report, the “Flutracking’ surveillance system recorded no cases of the flu among its more than 52,000 participants, while in the nearly 16 weeks to 21 April, there have only been 214 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide. In 2020 Chris Moy from the Australian Medical Association said that high immunisation (flu) rates, as well as mask-wearing and physical distancing due to COVID-19, helped stop the spread of flu last year.
Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing is needed to help confirm a diagnosis. Both COVID-19 and flu can have varying degrees of signs and symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. Common symptoms that COVID-19 and flu share include:
» Fever or feeling feverish/ chills
However, this year we need to be ever more vigilant as not only we have to contend with outbreaks of COVID-19, but we are also entering the 2021 flu season
» Cough
What is the difference between Flu & COVID-19?
» Sore throat
Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2), and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
mga.asn.au | July - August 2021 | Edition 4
» Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
» Fatigue (tiredness) » Runny or stuffy nose » Muscle pain or body aches » Headache » Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
COVID-19 COVID-19 seems to cause more serious illnesses in some people. Other than the signs and symptoms of the flu, other indicators of COVID-19 could be the change in or loss of taste or smell.
How to protect your business? Hygiene! Hygiene! Hygiene! Now is not the time to become complacent with the good hygiene practices.
Wash Hands Good hygiene requires everyone to wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and dry them thoroughly, preferably with clean, single-use paper towels. If paper towels are unavailable, other methods such as electric hand dryers can be used. However, hands will still need to be dried completely. Everyone must wash and dry their hands:
• before and after eating • after coughing or sneezing,
