Currently, Australia is experiencing a wave of respiratory diseases—COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Public health officials are urgently sounding the alarm about the importance of symptomatic people isolating. Since the beginning of this year, our nation has experienced more than 65,000 cases of COVID–19. Furthermore, there have been over 81,000 cases of influenza and 50,000 cases of RSV. In light of the increase of these infections, experts are calling on people to continue to be aware and go by public health recommendations.
Dr. Anne Maree Baldwin, an infectious disease expert, highlights the significance of testing for individuals who are severely ill or require antiviral medications. She wants people to understand that staying home while sick is critical, especially right now, to stop the spread of the virus.
Current Situation of Respiratory Illnesses
This summer’s surge of respiratory viruses elicited alarm from health professionals. The statistics reveal a concerning trend: over 65,000 Australians have contracted COVID-19 so far this year. Meanwhile, influenza has sickened over 81,000 with RSV up to 50,000 cases.
Dr. Baldwin notes the gravity of the situation: “We see COVID waves and whooping cough at any time of the year, and most RSV is actually at this time of year.” The connection between these diseases shows the incredible opportunity for people to make a difference. With these protective measures in place, you’ll be keeping both yourself and the public healthy.
Vaccination is key to the fight against these viruses. Our vaccine access policy In Australia, the COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine are both free for specific groups. The COVID-19 vaccine should continue to be available to all residents, regardless of whether they have a Medicare card. Children six months to less than five years are entitled to a freely available influenza vaccine. The same applies to pregnant people, people aged 65 years and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged six months and older, and people with some underlying medical conditions.
Importance of Testing and Isolation
Health professionals continue to recommend that anyone who is displaying symptoms of an upper or lower respiratory illness get tested. Dr. Baldwin is adamant that testing is absolutely necessary for the severely sick and people who require antiviral medicines. She states, “Stay home and away from others when you have symptoms, irrespective of whether it’s COVID or another respiratory illness.”
She points out that someone with new acute symptoms, like a cough, even after seven days may still be infectious. It’s important to proceed with caution in these instances. “You should stay at home until all of your acute symptoms have gone,” advises Nirvana Luckraj, another health professional working in the field.
Dr. Baldwin notes that organizational policies play a significant role in how employees manage their illness in relation to work obligations. “Just communicating first and foremost, so everyone’s aware,” she says about the importance of clear communication in workplace environments.
Workplace Obligations and Health Policies
Dr. Libby Sander is an associate professor of organizational behavior at Bond University. She unpacks the value of employee well-being, attendance and the impact on the workplace. She calls attention to a dangerous trend. Employees are made to feel as though they have no choice but to report to work when ill due to short-staffing and intense productivity demands.
I’m often hearing [about instances] where people are being expected to go to work when they’re sick because of staff shortages or they just feel obliged to go in because of the workload,” she explains. In this same culture, the time and energy of public health practitioners are often squandered. It can even endanger coworkers by putting them at heightened risk of disease.
Dr. Sander recommends masking up and steering clear of packed indoor space to lower exposure risk on the job. Most importantly, whenever you’re physically able, practice social distancing to protect yourself and those around you. These simple but effective steps not only help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses but create a culture of health at work.
