Flu season is upon us. That means weeks and weeks of fevers, coughing and more hand-washing than you likely know what to do with. That doesn’t mean we should accept this widespread illness as inevitable. Just like flu vaccines are constantly updating to beat resistant strains of bacteria, so too do businesses need to take an active approach to stopping illness in its tracks. Bacterial infections thrive in neglectful environments, physical or otherwise, and a company that reaches out to employees will find itself saving a lot of time and money in the long run. What should you know about the flu?
The list below will take a look at preventative measures, drug screening and little known facts to help this winter season be the healthiest yet.
Did You Know?
The American medical industry is constantly reaching new breakthroughs. Much of the day-to-day issues we face, however, rely on a mixture of responsibility and common sense. The Surgeon General has found both alcohol and drug abuse to be a massive drain on the economy, costing a staggering $750 billion every year. While drug abuse is commonly associated with illegal substances, this can also include over-the-counter medication and prescribed painkillers such as oxycodone.
Basic Symptoms Of The Flu Virus
It’s a frustrating and helpless moment when you start to feel yourself coming down during flu season. Aches and pains crop up out of nowhere and your appetite starts to feel unreliable. Unlike the common cold, the flu is much more tenacious and can see people missing out on work for a week or more. Every year sees up to 20% of the American population getting the flu and having to take extended leave from work or school. Although this is important (the flu is very contagious), preventative action can see much of this eliminated early.
The Difference Between The Common Cold And The Flu
The common cold can’t be prevented, unlike the flu, but they can share some symptoms. Both are characterized by fever, coughing, sore throat, chest pain and fatigue. The flu can also cause severe nausea, diarrhea, reduced appetite, heavier fevers and even more severe issues depending on who contracts the virus. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems should take extra precautions to ensure they remain safe during the winter season. A yearly shot during flu season is a great line of defense, but it should be noted it takes two weeks to become effective.
Drug Screening Tests And The Benefits For Employees And Business
What other methods can be used alongside spreading awareness? A blood test analysis can determine whether or not employees are under the influence of drugs. The four processes that take place after a drug are absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. Oxycodone, used for pain, is detectable in urine up to three days after it’s been consumed. Heroin can be detectable in the urine for up to two or three days. Back in 2015 over nine million urine drug tests came back positive. This is a simple, yet effective way of checking up on your employees’ ongoing health.
Creating A Healthy And Safe Working Environment
Healthy employees are safe and content employees. On the other hand, employees that are constantly concerned of contracting a virus on the job are going to be more stressed. This means encouraging sick leave during flu season, creating easily accessible awareness campaigns and providing services to keep offices or buildings clean on a regular basis. Medical testing procedures are only going to get better from here, able to better determine what causes certain illnesses so we can prepare for the worst before it arrives.
Whether you’re testing for illicit drugs or hiring cleaning services to discourage the spread of the common cold, action taken is sickness prevented.
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