What is the Flu?

Influenza is an illness of the airways caused by influenza A or influenza B viruses. The illness can range from mild to severe and can lead to complications and death. Flu season in Canada is from mid-October to end of April. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, and one or more of: sore throat, joint pain, muscle pain, or extreme exhaustion/weakness. The usual duration of fly symptoms is 4-7 days. [ Read More ]
 
What can I do to prevent myself from getting the flu?

  • Wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer if water and soap is not available
  • Cough/sneeze into tissues (or into shirt sleeve if tissues are not available) and throw all used tissue into the garbage
  • If flu symptoms are present:
    • Stay home from work or school
    • Do not visit hospitals, nursing homes, or individuals at high risk for flu-related complications
  • Get the flu shot during flu season at your local pharmacy

What do I do if I get the flu?

Flu treatment:

  • Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is a medication that can be used to treat the influenza A or B virus. It can reduce the duration of flu symptoms by about 1 day and early treatment with Tamiflu can reduce flu-related complications (need for antibiotics, hospitalizations, asthma exacerbations).

Symptom treatment:

  • Fever
    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
    • Ibuprofen (Advil)
  • Joint/muscle pain
    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
    • Ibuprofen (Advil)
  • Headache
    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
    • Ibuprofen (Advil)
  • Cough
    • Cough syrup with dextromethorphan (DM) ie. Robitussin DM​, Koffex DM

 

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