Preventing The Spread Of Infection

Preventing The Spread Of Infection

2 Cor 6:16-18

This time of year, you hear a lot about the flu. What is the flu?

(Medically known as Influenza)? According to the U.S. Government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent this illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is by getting a flu vaccination each fall.

When I moved to the Columbus area in 1989, I went to work for a company that offered free flu shots every year. So, I received my first flu vaccination that year. I can’t remember a year that I got sicker than that year. I haven’t had the flu shot since, and I haven’t had the flu very often since then. I am not here tonight to try to discourage you from getting the flu shot. That is your decision and it might be very advantageous for you to get it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depending on your health condition and age.

Did you know that every year in the United States, on average:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;

• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;

• and every year in the U.S., about 36,000 people die from flu complications.

Some people, such as older people, infants, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms of Flu

Symptoms of flu include:

• fever (usually high)

• headache

• extreme tiredness

• dry cough

• sore throat

• runny or stuffy nose

• muscle aches

• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults

Complications of Flu

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.

How Flu Spreads

Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Good Health Habits

Good health habits are also an important way to help prevent the Flu.

• Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. How many of you are careful when you see someone that is sick?

• Stay away from others when you are sick.

If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. How many of you are ready to get out of bed and hug a dozen of your best friends when you are sick?

• Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

• Clean your hands often.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. I hear of more and more people that work around the public carrying hand disinfectants with them to work.

I left empty space on your handouts for a reason. Now, for the reason.

Now for the spiritual side of something that we can see so easily in the physical.

The evil that affects the world will affect the church in some measure. The attitudes of the world will try to invade the church. We live in the world. We interact with the world. We touch this world that has become sickened by the inflections of sin. The world is constantly touching us in one way or another. The world has been infected with a sickness that is constantly trying to creep into the church. Unfortunately, it is getting into many of the churches and is causing spiritual infections, sicknesses, and many times, death. Why are we so careful about the physical side of our life and its infections, but many Christians have no concern about the spiritual side?

Let’s look at the parallels. On your sheet…

How Flu Spreads

“Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.”