Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
October has nearly come to an end and that means that cold and flu season is officially upon us.
With COVID-19 still here for the foreseeable future, avoiding the flu is even more important this year. The silver lining of it all is that many of the precautions that you should already be taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also help you to avoid getting sick this cold and flu season.
Get Your Flu Shot
The flu shot is the first and best line of defense against the flu. The Government of Ontario recommends the flu shot for everyone who is at least six months old. The flu shot is available at public health units, at doctors offices and from nurse practitioners and many participating pharmacies across the province, including most Shoppers Drug Mart locations. It is important to get your flu shot early and before the peak of the season because it takes at least two weeks to take effect. Remember to wear your mask and maintain physical distancing where possible when you go to get your flu shot. If you have a confirmed case of COVID-19 or you have symptoms, you should avoid going out to get your flu shot until after you test negative for COVID-19.
Know when to get a COVID test
Many flu symptoms are similar to COVID-19 symptoms. Common COVID-19 and flu symptoms include fever, aches and pains, chest discomfort, general tiredness or weakness and coughing. Symptoms that are unique to COVID-19 may include pink eye and loss of your sense of taste or smell. It can be difficult to tell whether you have the flu or a case of COVID-19 based on symptoms alone, so you will want to get a COVID-19 test. With the exception of going for your test, you should stay home and isolate for 14 days or until you receive a negative test result.
Stay Clean
You’re probably already well aware of this piece of advice. Everyone’s been yelling at you to wash your hands and sanitize since March. Keep doing that. Wash your hands frequently and do so for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water. Sanitize surfaces that you and other people touch frequently. Things like doorknobs, light switches and even your cell phone are great targets for a quick lysol wipe. Also, continuing to wear a mask and maintaining physical distancing will not only keep COVID-19 away but it can help prevent the flu from getting to you.
Stay Healthy
Your general health can play a big role in whether or not you get the flu this season. There are many things that you can do to keep your immune system strong. Not getting enough sleep can weaken your immune system, so try to get a good amount of sleep every night. Other things, like having a healthy diet and eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, can also strengthen your immune system. Physical activity can also help to keep you healthy, even something as simple as taking a walk every day. Conversely, using substances like alcohol, tobacco and drugs can negatively impact your immune system and make you more susceptible to getting sick.
If You Get The Flu
Don’t panic if you do everything you can and still end up getting the flu. Stay home when you’re sick and get plenty of rest. Drink lots of fluids. Muscle aches and pains can be treated with over the counter pain relievers, as well as heating pads and warm baths. To soothe a sore throat, gargle warm salt water or have a throat lozenge. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and tobacco can also help you recover more quickly. If you don’t get better after a few days or your symptoms worsen you should seek some medical assistance. You should also contact your doctor if you are pregnant, over the age of 65 or have an underlying condition such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes and you contract the flu. If you have a child under five years old who gets the flu, they should also see a medical professional.
To find out more about where to get a flu shot you can visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-shot-clinics#section-1. For a COVID-19 testing location and to find out how to make an appointment for a test you can visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations/.
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