Experts say curbing the spread of seasonal flu virus starts at home.

With this year’s flu season being accompanied by slowly rising COVID-19 cases, experts remind us that staving off the flu virus typically begins with common practices that families can do at home.

“It’s important to ensure that our personal spaces are free of transmissible diseases like the flu. Contrary to popular belief, the flu is caused by a virus different from the common cold so symptoms tend to last longer and are more severe,” says Dr. Gyneth Bibera, Country Medical Director of GSK Philippines. “Patients will experience the typical runny nose, coughing, headaches, fevers, and fatigue, but the severity can often lead to the inability to do daily tasks, the need for doctor consultations, or even hospitalizations,” she adds.

Here are five things you can do to prevent flu:

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Influenza viruses can survive outside the body and generally stay active longer on steel, plastic, and harder surfaces than on fabric and softer materials. They have been known to survive for 24-48 hrs on hard non-porous surfaces, and 8-12 hrs on cloth, paper, and tissues. Regularly disinfecting these surfaces with a household cleaner containing soap or detergent will help stop the spread of the virus, more so if someone is or has been recently infected at home. Focus on areas that are frequently touched, such as door handles, light switches, faucets, stair rails, or tables.

Toss your trash everyday.

Many communities have weekly or biweekly garbage collections, but it’s worth making a point to dispose of trash everyday. Keep a wastebasket outside of the home, in a garage, or by the front gate. This prevents contaminated items and germs that cause respiratory illness, like flu from lingering inside the home.

Launder your linens regularly.

Sheets, blankets, or pillowcases that are used daily may become infected by viruses. This is especially true if an infected member of the household recently used the linens. Changing and washing sheets on a weekly basis with hot water, can kill flu viruses that are present. This is because flu viruses are killed by heat above 75° C.

Practice good hygiene.

Personal hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent the flu. This includes washing hands frequently, particularly after coughing or sneezing, after using the bathroom, before and after handling food, or after coming in contact with someone sick. It also includes not sharing personal items such as pillows, towels, utensils, and the like. Of course, covering the mouth when coughing, taking regular showers, and other basic hygiene practices are also necessary.

Get your flu vaccines.

The World Health Organization recommends that flu shots be administered once every year, which is applicable for both adults and even children when they reach six months old. Getting annual flu vaccines significantly reduces the risk of contracting the flu virus.

Alongside practicing proper measures and being mindful of the environment to protect one’s home from the virus, having updated flu vaccines is the best way to keep oneself safe. “Although flu cases really tend to rise at this time of the year, each individual and communal effort within the household will do a lot to protect the health of the wider community and keep overall flu numbers down,” says Dr. Bibera. “We encourage all Filipinos to talk to their doctors and get their jabs done because it’s us and our own efforts that will help keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”

Parents’ flu-proof guide to sending their kids back to face-to-face classes.

The resumption of face-to-face classes coinciding with flu season heightens the need for parents to stay on track of their children’s health and wellbeing. Increased exposure means that there must also be increased vigilance in the observance of public health and safety protocols.

"Parents are naturally on guard now that their kids are getting more face time. We’re dealing with dangerous illnesses such as COVID-19, Dengue, and Monkeypox, which happen to have flu-like symptoms," says Dr. Gyneth Lourdes Bibera, country medical director of GSK Philippines. “It’s important to remember that despite their similarities, these are all separate illnesses, caused by different viruses and having different treatments. This is why it is important to strengthen our immunity through proper nutrition, regular exercise, and eliminating the chances of catching communicable diseases by updating your vaccinations."

To prevent contracting the flu or any of the transmissible diseases, here are 3 important health guidelines to remember:

Be Flutected. GSK hosted a press briefing on flu-awareness 

to help parents keep children protected for face-to-face classes. 

The discussion was led by GSK Philippines' Country Medical Director, 

Dr. Gyneth Lourdes Bibera, and actress and lifestyle influencer, Dimples Romana.

1. Keep your child’s vaccines up to date.

Experts advise that vaccination is the best way to stay protected from the flu. Getting an annual flu shot will reduce the risk of illness, severity, and hospitalization among children while lowering their chances of developing any complications. Flu vaccinations can be administered to children starting at six months old. Depending on the child's age and the doctor's recommendation, immunizations may be given in one or two doses.

Annual vaccinations are also necessary because the flu virus constantly mutates. This means that new strains may be formed from year to year, necessitating new vaccines. When getting the flu vaccine around the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, follow the national guidelines prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH), which is to take the flu vaccine 14 days before or after the COVID-19 vaccine.

2. Isolate at the onset of symptoms.

If your children start showing or complaining about any signs of flu or illness, they should stay home to avoid potentially infecting others or having their symptoms worsen. At the same time, check with their schools as to what the standard protocol is when a student is ill so that they don’t miss out on important activities for any of their classes.

3. Start healthy habits at home.

Following the right health and safety measures should always start at home, and parents must ensure that children learn these early on. Practicing good hygiene plays a huge role in the prevention of diseases like the flu. Instill in your children the practices of covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing their hands with soap and water, not touching their eyes, noses, and mouths, wearing masks, keeping a safe distance from other students or teachers, and disinfecting their personal spaces.

Besides this, other good habits they may also follow include getting enough sleep, being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food. By setting these practices as the standard at home, children will be more likely to follow them when they go out for school or other activities.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic coinciding with flu season might raise alarm bells for parents who are now sending their kids to school but making sure to follow the proper ways to prevent sickness will go a long way in staying healthy.

"The health protocols we've been following the past two years must be standard practice by now," reminds Dr. Bibera. "Beyond that, we've seen the positive effects of vaccinations on disease severity. We implore all parents to get the annual flu vaccine for themselves and their kids, as this is still the best way to protect against the flu," she ends.

Flu Shots | Better Safe than Sorry!

'Twas like a family outing as my brother, sis-in-law, my niece, and my little man and I trooped to the pedia this afternoon. But don't worry, it's not because the kids are sick or anything. We just paid a visit so the kids can get their flu shots. It's almost the rainy season, after all. And as we all know, the flu becomes prevalent during this time of the year.

Little Miss Maggie (and Yue) waiting for their turn at the pedia.

Influenza, more commonly called as the flu, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system - the nose, throat, and lungs. It is a serious disease that can lead to many complications, and the best defense against it is to receive an annual vaccination.

Vaxigrip, check! 

The flu vaccine is recommended to everyone, but it's especially important for those in higher-risk groups to be vaccinated. These include:
- Kids 6 months through 4 years old.
- Adults 50 years old and above.
- Adults and children with chronic medical conditions. (such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis, etc.)
- All women who are pregnant, are considering pregnancy, have recently given birth, or are breastfeeding during flu season.
- Residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
- Persons who can transmit influenza to those at risk. (e.g., health care workers, household contacts, caregivers)

The best time to get the vaccine for influenza is before the start of the flu season. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies (that protect against influenza virus infection) to develop in the body, it is recommended that people get vaccinated before influenza begins spreading in their community.

In the Philippines, the flu season coincides with the rainy season. It is best to get the vaccine during the summer months, between March and May. You may still get the vaccine outside these months, because getting a shot later in the season is still better than not getting the vaccine at all. The immunity lasts until the year's flu season (because of the change in the prevalent strains of the virus every year). Hence, the vaccine must be given every year.

Mommies, have your kids received their flu shots this year? Do you get flu shots, too?