Protect yourself from the ’flu

In Canada, flu season is from November until April. As many as one in four Canadians will get the flu this year, and anywhere from four to eight thousand Canadians will die from pneumonia related to flu and its complications.

Most of the victims will be seniors.

The biggest concern with flu is that it lowers the body’s ability to fight other illness and infections.

Pneumonia is a common complication of influenza in seniors. Also at greater risk are those who have chronic breathing and respiratory disease, heart or kidney disease, diabetes or a threatened immune system as a result of other diseases such as cancer.

Influenza generally starts with a headache, chills and a cough, followed by fever, aches and fatigue and loss of appetite. You will have a runny nose, sneezing and a sore throat.

Many get confused about what was once referred to as ‘stomach flu’, which would have been caused by other illness, a stomach virus or mild cases of food poisoning. This is not the same as influenza.

No one is totally immune from influenza viruses. The flu spreads easily from one person to another through breathing, coughing and sneezing.

The virus is found on the hands of people with the flu and on the surfaces that they have touched. If you shake hands with someone, or touch an object they have touched, and then put your hands to your mouth, eyes or nose, you can transfer the virus to you. This emphasizes the importance of regular hand washing. This will help to minimize your risk.

Can a flu shot give you the flu?

No, it does not contain live viruses and cannot cause infection,

Flu shots are very safe. You may get a few unpleasant symptoms like soreness or redness around the area where the needle was given. Mild aches are also common.

After you get the shot, your immune system begins producing antibodies against the strains of virus in the vaccine. This means your body is recognizing there is a stranger in its system and it prepares an army that prevents it from harming your system.

Your immune system is prepared to recognize the real virus and is therefore stronger to help you fight and stay healthier.

Flu shot clinics will be held today, Oct. 30, at the Bear River clinic from 6-8 p.m., and at Digby General Hospital consultants’ clinic on Nov. 3 and 17 from 4-7 p.m.

The Weymouth clinic will be giving shots Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon, and Islands Health Centre will offer shots on Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Have your health card ready when attending any of the clinics.
Dawn Thomas is seniors’ safety coordinator for the Town and Municipality of Digby