The flu has been in the news recently as health officials are predicting a particularly bad season. The flu vaccine this year provides protection against three strains of flu including the swine flu. Remember when you have the vaccine not only are you helping protect yourself and your family but you are also helping the community by reducing the amount of flu circulating.

There are three types of influenza virus – A, B and C

Human influenza type A and B cause the annual influenza epidemics that have up to 20 per cent of the population sniffling, aching, coughing and running high fevers.

Influenza type C infections cause a mild respiratory illness and are not thought to cause epidemics.

Influenza type A viruses can infect people, birds, pigs, horses, dogs, marine mammals, and other animals. Influenza type A viruses can be divided into sub types and strains giving rise to names like H1N1, (swine flu) H5N1 (bird flu) H7N9 (a recent bird flu).

H7N9 (Bird Flu 2013) – China this week confirmed three more cases of bird flu, as authorities try to curb an outbreak by banning live poultry sales and disinfecting schools. The new cases of the H7N9 strain brought the number recorded in China’s developed eastern region to 21. Six people have died, including four in Shanghai.

Health officials believe people are contracting the H7N9 virus through direct contact with infected fowl and say there is no evidence the virus is spreading from person to person. Let’s hope it stays that way.

H5N1 (Bird flu) emerged in the 1990s. It kills more than 60 per cent of its human victims but doesn’t easily pass from person to person. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), The H5N1 virus has infected 565 people since it first appeared in 2003, killing 331. There is no highly effective treatment for H5N1 flu.

H1N1 (Swine flu) common in 2009, is expected to make a comeback this year and is highly contagious. It can be spread with a sneeze or handshake, but thankfully kills only a small fraction of the people it infects. H1N1 cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food. If a person becomes sick with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster.

I also wanted to mention that NSW Ministry of Health is launching an Immunisation Awareness Campaign this week

A key component of the campaign is the website which will allow parents to access comprehensive information on immunisation. Look up immunisation.health.nsw.gov.au

Download a free iPhone and Android App called Save the Date to Vaccinate which should be very useful.

Looking at the website I learned that boys aged 14 or 15 in 2013 that are in Year 10 can have the HPV vaccine free at their GP.

Hope you have a lovely holiday break. After a busy term the boys need some time to relax and catch up on sleep, essential for good health.

Sister Margaret Bates
School Nurse