“Did you get your flu shot?” We hear this phrase time and time again, sometimes choosing to ignore it as an unnecessary precaution. What you may not know, however, is that the flu contributes to an estimated $7 billion in lost productivity due to sick days. According to the Centers for Disease Control, that sum equates to a total of 111 million missed workdays a year! To ensure you stay at peak health all year round, consider making time for regular checkups at your local health clinic. Several KINETIC® locations include an on-site wellness center where you can quickly and conveniently access a qualified medical professional. These centers accept walk-ins, which means you can stop by at any point in your workday, whether you’re on lunch or in-between meetings. If you are under the weather, all it takes is one quick trip to your local KINETIC wellness center and you will be feeling better in no time.
One of the best parts of getting a wellness checkup at your local KINETIC is that it can be completed in the span of a lunch break. Here, a healthcare expert can provide you with valuable insights into core subjects like nutrition and exercise. You can also discuss predispositions to certain conditions and determine the best plan of action to prevent any risk factors.
The flu is extremely contagious and often strikes in densely populated areas like schools and offices. Germs can spread by coughing, sneezing – even a simple handshake. Knowing this, it’s crucial that employees do whatever they can to prevent illness in the workplace. Simple actions such as avoiding close contact with sick people, frequent hand-washing, disinfecting common areas and keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth are effective in preventing the flu from spreading. Getting a flu shot is one of the most powerful ways to stay healthy and productive during flu season. The Center for Disease Control recommends everyone over 6 months of age get a flu vaccine. Rather than waiting for an appointment, consider stopping by your local KINETIC wellness center for a quick flu vaccination.
Staying smart during flu season also means learning how to identify the symptoms. Typical indicators are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, aches and pains, chills and fatigue. The flu also tends to strike during the colder months of the year, peaking in December and February. People who have the flu are most contagious at the start of their illness, usually within the first 3 to 4 days, and anyone can catch it. If you start to develop flu-like symptoms, the Center for Disease Control suggests staying home for 24 hours after the fever subsides. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to shorten recovery time and counter more serious symptoms.
Making time to learn more about your health and wellness is critical to working smart and living well, especially during flu season! To ensure you and your coworkers stay healthy, happy and productive, be sure to visit your KINETIC on-site wellness center. To learn more about KINETIC, click here.
