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Flu Basics and Prevention
- Flu Basics and Prevention
- Hand Washing/sanitizer
- Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette
- High-Risk Groups
- Flu Shots
- Emergency Preparedness List
Seasonal flu is a common respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Many strains and types of the virus circulate throughout the world every year, causing local outbreaks and making people sick. In Canada, flu season usually runs from November to April.
Most people recover from influenza within a week, but some—including those over 65 and adults and children with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cancer—are at greater risk of more severe complications, such as pneumonia. Depending on the severity of the season, between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians can die of seasonal influenza and its complications annually. Find out more about seasonal flu.
Prevention and Protection Are Paramount
The seasonal flu virus is highly contagious and can live on hard surfaces for several hours. You can become infected if you breathe in droplets, which are spread when infected people cough or sneeze, or touch surfaces handled by infected people and then touch your eyes, mouth or nose.
There are a number of basic things we can all do to help prevent us from catching—and spreading—the flu:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
- No access to soap and water? Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw the tissue in the garbage immediately. If no tissue is available, cover your mouth and nose with your arm or sleeve—but not your hands.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
- Avoid shaking hands if you have any flu-like symptoms and try to stay at least two metres away from others.
- Disinfect shared surfaces such as phones, doorknobs and keyboards.
- Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms.
- Public health authorities recommend that you get your seasonal flu shot every year.
- Stay healthy. Get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise.
- If you have questions, talk to your doctor or health care provider.