How is Flu Spread?

The flu virus is spread through the air when an affected erson coughs or sneezes. Flu may also be caught by touching an item that has been in contact with mucus from an infected person’s nose or throat.

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of flu are similar to those of the common cold, but they tend to develop faster and are usually more intense. They include a sudden high fever of 38° to 40° C, extreme weakness, severe muscle aches and pains, loss of appetite, chills and, frequently, a headache. A runny nose, sore throat, and/or dry cough may also be present.

How Serious is Flu?

While the number of deaths in Canada attributable to flu or its complications varies each year, the number is estimated to be between 500 and 1,500 deaths per flu season. However, for most people, having flu poses very little risk. The real danger of flu is that it lowers the body’s resistance to fight other infections. Many of these secondary infections can cause a person to become very sick, since the immune system will become weakened by the flu episode.

Bacterial pneumonia and viral pneumonia are two infections that are associated with flu. Disorders of the nervous system and heart/kidney failure may also, on rare occasions, follow a case of flu.

Certain sectors of the population are considered to be more at risk than others for developing complications from flu. These people are strongly encouraged to have a flu vaccination every year to protect themselves against influenza viruses.

Who is Most at Risk?

The following people are considered to be high risk - meaning they are more likely than the population at large to catch flu and/or develop complications from flu.

• Adults or children with chronic heart, lung or kidney disorders, or cystic fibrosis.
• Adults or children with asthma, diabetes, severe chronic anaemia, cancer or another long-term illness, or who have received an organ transplant.
• Adults aged 65 and over or people of any age living in a long-term care facility.
• Healthy adults living in the same house as high risk people (to protect the person at risk as well as themselves).
• Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) who have been treated for long periods with ASA.
• Health care providers and other people who are in contact with high risk individuals (to protect those at risk as well as themselves).

People at high risk and their caregivers may obtain a flu vaccination free of charge through their family doctor or at a public health clinic.

When is the Best Time to be Vaccinated?

The best time to be vaccinated against influenza is in mid-October to late November - well before the arrival of “flu season” in December/January. You should not wait until flu has broken out in your area before being vaccinated.

London Drugs flu vaccination clinics are scheduled to start mid-October and finish in early December.

Maximum protection develops approximately two weeks after vaccination and lasts up to a year. Please note that a flu vaccination will protect you only against strains of flu identified for that particular year. An annual vaccination is necessary to protect against “current” viruses.

After the Flu Vaccination

After the flu vaccination, your immune system will produce antibodies against the virus strains in the vaccine. If you are exposed to the flu virus, the antibodies circulating in your body will help to eliminate the virus and/or destroy cells that have been infected with it.

Occasionally, the spot where you were vaccinated might feel sore. You may also feel achy or have a mild fever, but these symptoms should quickly pass.

Thimerosal-Free Vaccine

Recently, some media reports have covered concerns linking vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal to autism. Although no study has to date linked the small amount of thimerosal in vaccines to any disease, many parents may have concerns about what is best for their child/ren. If you wish your child/ren to have a flu vaccination, please contact your family doctor or public health clinic for further information.