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Doctors warn against soldiering on with colds and flus
27 June 2010.
Doctors today urged people with severe colds and influenza to consider staying home to rest, aid recovery and avoid infecting others rather than take the advice of some healthcare companies to continue their regular, fast-paced routines when ill.
"Every winter we are bombarded with advertisements that tell us to ‘soldier on’ when we have a cold or the flu," said AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley, "rather than do the more sensible thing and stay home, get plenty of rest and avoid infecting other people.
"In a bid to sell over-the-counter medications, consumer healthcare companies are sending harmful messages that it is acceptable and even expected that you will go to work, catch public transport, and use public amenities when you are sick.
"We’ve got Codral telling us to ‘soldier on’ and go to work when we are sick, a Dimetapp commercial showing a woman with a cold or the flu swimming in a public swimming pool – potentially infecting her whole community – and characters in a Panadol cold and flu ad sneezing over each other at a bus stop.
"These messages contradict public health advice to avoid infecting others when you are ill. They also defy common sense. When you are ill, the best thing to do is stay at home – you can get plenty of rest and you won’t infect others."
Dr Hemley said the common cold and the more serious seasonal influenza virus are spread through coughing, sneezing and hand contact. "The common cold, or upper respiratory infection, is the most common cause of illness in adults and children," he said.
"Influenza, on the other hand, is far more serious and contributes to around 2,500 Australian deaths each year. That’s why it’s so important to keep influenza under wraps, and avoid passing on the infection."
Dr Hemley said most healthy people recovered from the flu without problems, but certain people were at high risk for serious complications. "Over 65s, sufferers of chronic disease, pregnant women, and those with suppressed immunity are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu," he said.
"When considering whether to go to work, catch public transport and use public amenities when you are ill, think about who you could be infecting. Taking a day or two off work or avoiding public amenities could save other people from infection, and potential complications."
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