Flu Prevention

With the change of seasons comes a renewed focus on the flu and the ways we can protect ourselves against infection.

Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection. Those that are generally healthy will experience symptoms to varying degrees and recover fully in a week to ten days. But for young children, the elderly or those with a chronic illness, the flu can be life-threatening. Preventing infection in the first place is key.

The flu can cause serious health risks, and sometimes even death due to complications. A person with the flu is also at risk of other infections like pneumonia, an infection of the lungs.

In Canada your risk of getting the flu is higher in the:

• late fall
• winter

Your risk is lower the rest of the year.*

The flu is ranked among the top 10 leading causes of death in Canada. Each year in Canada, the flu causes an estimated:

• 12,200 hospital stays
• 3,500 deaths*

There are many variations of the viruses that cause the flu, and they also change over time. Based on viral strains or families, vaccines can be developed for use against infection. As these strains change somewhat each year, the vaccine is updated annually.

Viruses are spread through direct contact (within one to two metres, airborne transmission) or indirect contact (surfaces). Signs and symptoms of the seasonal flu vary from one person to another but usually include a combination of:

• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue and feeling weak
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Muscle aches and pains
• Runny, stuffy nose
• Chest discomfort, coughing

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can also occur. Most cases of the flu tend to be mild. However, if you do not start to feel better after a few days or if your symptoms get worse, please consult your health care provider.

Prevention

• Wash your hands often, using plenty of soap and warm water. Germs can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours.
• Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer often throughout the day.
• Disinfect common surfaces in your home such as doorknobs and light switches. At work, disinfect items such as your keyboard and telephone.
• Cover your mouth when you cough, and sneeze into a tissue or the inside of your sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to keep germs from entering your body.
• If you become sick, stay at home. This will prevent the spread of germs to other employees in your workplace as well as people you may come into contact with through your daily routine.
• Talk to your health care provider about the annual flu shot and if that would be the right option for you and your family.

Proper hand-washing technique:

• Take off your jewellery. Wet your hand with warm running water.
• Apply some soap and create a lather by rubbing your hands together.
• Wash all parts of each hand. Rub your hands together vigorously for at least 30 seconds.
• Rinse your hands under warm running water. Leave the water running while you dry your hands.
• Dry your hands with a clean disposable towel.
• Using the towel as a barrier, turn the faucet off and open the door, then throw the towel into the garbage.

If someone in your family gets sick:

• Designate one person as the caregiver.
• Avoid sharing personal items (such as towels, sheets, food, eating utensils) unless they are properly cleaned after each use.
• Disinfect surfaces in the home that are frequently touched: doorknobs, switches, computers, telephones, toys etc.
• Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up bodily fluids.

Cause/Symptom	Influenza	Common Cold
Cough	Common and can be severe	Mild to moderate hacking cough
Fever	Can be sudden and high and last for days	Rare
Sore throat	If it occurs, can be very painful	Can be scratchy and painful
General aches and pains	Common and affects the whole body	Can occur and are mild
Nasal discharge	Can occur and is usually clear	Usually occurs along with nasal congestion
Headache	Can occur and be severe	Rare, but may present if you are congested
Duration	On average 10 days	On average five to seven days but can last two weeks
Other common symptoms	Tiredness, weakness, chills	Sneezing

* Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/flu-influenza/prevention-risks.html