The Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality and FCC's Medical Services department both recommend vaccination against flu as one of the most effective health measures to prevent complications in those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD), etc. This is why at FCC we are launching our annual flu-vaccination campaign, which lasts until the end of November.

Influenza ("flu") is an acute respiratory disease caused by a virus that is passed on from person to person by coughs or sneezes or by sharing directly contaminated objects. This is why taking antibiotics is not an effective treatment for flu, and using them can also worsen the increasing problem of resistance to these drugs. Flu reaches its peak in the autumn and winter months. Its incubation period is usually about two days but may range between 24 hours and seven days.

The main symptoms of flu are: fever of up to 39ºC (102ºF), headache, aching muscles, sneezing, a heavy, persistent cough, watery eyes and a mild sore throat.  Flu symptoms can easily be confused with other respiratory problems such as the common cold, so we recommend consulting your family doctor or the professional medical services at FCC. The symptoms of flu usually last for between five and seven days, although in some cases they may last for up to two or three weeks. 

Advice to follow to avoid catching flu

The basic hygiene measures to bear in mind in order to avoid catching the virus are:

• Lead a generally healthy lifestyle, keeping your body's defences strong.
• Take care with your personal hygiene, not sharing glasses, plates, toiletries or anything else that could have come into contact with other people's saliva or mucus.
• Follow a well-balanced diet, including fruit that is rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, such as citrus fruit.
• Reduce your alcohol intake and smoking as much as possible.
• Protect yourself properly against abrupt changes in temperature. When you go outside, wrap up warm and, if possible, breathe through your nose until you reach somewhere that has a warmer temperature.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated places.
• During epidemics, avoid going to hospitals if you can, unless it is absolutely necessary.
• The best form of prevention is vaccination, but in order for it to be most effective this should be done at the beginning in October.

Recommendations by the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality on flu vaccinations for the 2017–2018 season:

http://www.msssi.gob.es/profesionales/saludPublica/prevPromocion/vacunaciones/docs/Recomendaciones_vacunacion_gripe.pdf