Influenza (FLU)
What is the Flu?
Influenza, also called the flu, is a serious, highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs. Illness from the flu can last two to seven days. It may last longer in people with chronic diseases or the elderly. Some people get very ill, develop complications and are admitted to hospital. Some people will die from getting the flu.
How is it spread?
Anyone can get the flu. It is spread in the air by an infected person coughing or sneezing or by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the flu virus, such as doorknobs, toys or unwashed hands.
What are the symptoms?
The flu causes high fever, dry cough, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and generally you feel very tired. Children can also have earaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Although colds and other viruses may cause similar symptoms, influenza weakens a person much more than other viruses.
Is it a cold or influenza?
Fever
· Cold - rare
· Influenza - usual–high fever – (102°F/39°C to 104°F/40°C), sudden onset, lasts 3-4 days
Headache
· Cold - rare
· Influenza - usual – can be severe
General aches and pains
· Cold – sometimes – mild
· Influenza – usual – often severe
Fatigue and weakness
· Cold – sometimes – mild
· Influenza – usual – severe, may last 2-3 weeks or more
Extreme fatigue
· Cold – usual
· Influenza – usual – early onset, can be severe
Runny, stuffy nose
· Cold – common
· Influenza – common
Sneezing
· Cold – common
· Influenza – sometimes
Sore throat
· Cold – common
· Influenza – common
Chest discomfort, coughing
· Cold – sometimes – mild to moderate
· Influenza – usual – can be severe
Complications
· Cold – can lead to sinus congestion or earache
· Influenza – can lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure; can worsen a current chronic condition; can be life-threatening
Most people who get sick with the flu can be cared for at home. If you have the flu, stay at home to prevent spreading the illness to others. Plan ahead for child care arrangements in case your child becomes ill and will not be going to school or daycare.
To speak with a registered nurse:
Visit Telehealth Ontario or call 1-866-797-0000
TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Hours of operation: 24 hours, 7 days a week
IMPORTANT
The following symptoms may indicate complications and the sick person may need immediate medical care:
· Chest pain
· Shortness of breath
· Rapid or difficulty breathing, or wheezing
· Bluish or grey skin colour
· Bloody or coloured mucus/spit
· Sudden dizziness or confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting
· Seizures
· High fever that does not go away or comes back after 4-5 days
· Low blood pressure
· Dehydration (people may be dizzy when they stand up, they are not urinating, ill infants may not have tears when they cry)
· Additional symptoms to watch for in children include: Any fever in a baby less than 3 months of age; not drinking enough fluids or not eating; not waking or
interacting; irritable or not wanting to play or be held
How can I protect myself?
The flu shot can protect you. Anyone six months of age and older who lives, works or attends school in Ontario can get the flu shot for free. It takes about two weeks after getting the flu shot to be protected. The vaccine is needed every year because the flu strains may change. Children less than nine years old need two flu shots the first year they get the vaccine. They need one flu shot each year after. Check for clinics in your community.
What are the side effects from the vaccine?
If you get the flu shot you can still get the flu, but you likely won’t be as ill. The flu shot may cause minor side effects such as redness, warmth, swelling where the needle was given, tiredness or a slight fever for a day or two. More severe reactions are rare. If you have trouble breathing, swelling of the mouth or face, hives, rash or seizure/convulsion, seek medical care immediately. Report any severe reactions to the health unit or your healthcare provider.
Who should not get this vaccine?
Do not get the vaccine if you(r):
· Had a serious allergic reaction to a past flu shot
· Child is under six months of age
· Have a high fever or serious infection worse than a cold on clinic day
· Had Oculo-Respiratory Syndrome (ORS) after a past flu shot ad needed to be admitted to hospital
· Had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) develop within eight weeks of a past flu shot
Speak to your healthcare provider or public health nurse if you are allergic to thimerosol (form of mercury), neomycin or kanamycin.
What can I do to protect myself and others?
· Wash your hands frequently.
· Cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
· If you have influenza symptoms or feel unwell, stay at home and do not visit
relatives or friends in hospitals or long-term facilities.
FLU SHOT CLINICS 2015 SEASON
Where to get your flu shot
You can get your free flu shot at your healthcare provider’s office, most pharmacies in Huron County (for individuals 5 years and older), or at a community clinic.
COMMUNITY CLINICS 2015
Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre, Grand Bend
Daily flu shot clinics by appointment (open to general public).
Call 519-238-2362
Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre, Hensall (122 King Street)
No appointment necessary (open to general public).
Thursday, November 19, 5:30-7:30 PM
Maitland Valley Family Health Team, Goderich Medical Centre
(patients of Drs. Appavoo, Dawson, Gill, Krishna, Lal, Neal, Natuik, Noel, K. Spacek, S. Spacek, Steinmann, Treasurywala, Watson and resident Nurse Practitioners S. Leddy, K. Johnson, S. Moore, I. Brooks, and D. Selkirk)
No appointment necessary.
Friday, November 13, 9 AM – 12:30 PM
North Huron Family Health Team, Lucknow Medical Clinic
(patients of Dr. Antoniadis, Dr. Gear, Dr. B. Marshall, Dr. S. Marshall, Dr. Moores, Dr. Shubat, Dr. Shuffield, and Dr. Vander Klippe)
No appointment necessary.
Friday, November 13, 1-6 PM
North Huron Family Health Team, Teeswater Medical Clinic
(patients of Dr. Antoniadis, Dr. Gear, Dr. B. Marshall, Dr. S. Marshall, Dr. Moores, Dr. Shubat, Dr. Shuffield, and Dr. Vander Klippe)
No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, November 11, 1-6 PM
PHARMACIES OFFERING FLU VACCINE (For anyone 5 years of age and older)
Clinton
· K and J Pharmacy, 21 Victoria Street, Clinton, ON, 519-482-9511
Bayfield
· Michael’s Pharmacy, 2 Main Street South, Bayfield, ON, 519-565-4454
Exeter
· Guardian Pharmacy, 38 Thames Road East, Exeter, ON, 519-235-1570
· Hansons Drugstore Pharmacy, 62 Thames Road East, Exeter, ON, 519-235-0751
· Huron Apothecary, 440 Main Street, Exeter, ON, 519-235-1982
Goderich
· De Jager I.D.A Pharmacy, 112 Courthouse Square, Goderich, ON, 519-524-7228
· Rexall PharmaPlus, 67 Kingston Street, Goderich, ON, 519-524-8121
· Zehrs Drugstore Pharmacy, 35400D Highway 8, Goderich, ON, 519-524-2227
· Walmart Pharmacy, 35400 Huron Road (Highway 8), Goderich, ON, 519-524-7839
Wingham
· James Brown Pharmacy (Pharmasave), 198 Josephine Street, Wingham, ON, 519-357-1629
· Vance’s Rexall Pharma Plus, 55 Josephine Street, Wingham, ON, 519-357-3490
Zurich
· Zurich Pharmacy, 11 Goshen Street North, Zurich, ON, 519-236-7577
How to prepare for your flu shot
· Wear short sleeves
· Eat before coming
· Prepare to wait for 15 minutes after a flu shot
· Bring your OHIP card
Why you need your flu shot
Get your flu shot early in the season each year. The flu virus circulates from early fall until spring. The flu shot will protect you and help stop the infection from spreading to others.
High-risk groups include:
· Children from 6 months to 5 years of age
· Individuals over 65
· Pregnant women
· Health care providers
· Anyone with a chronic medical condition such as cardiac
Click here to learn more about influenza
Source: Huron County Health Unit
