Flu Season

It’s that time of year again… Flu season! Not as much fun as other annual events like Halloween, Christmas and New years… Okay, it’s actually not fun at all but thankfully there are a few things we can do to steer clear of the flu altogether. First and foremost; get a flu shot. Anyone over 6 months can get one. Especially if you carry a higher risk of having complications with the flu or passing it to the vulnerable, such as small children, elderly, pregnant women, health workers or those already suffering from a pre-existing condition. It takes roughly 2 weeks in your system to fully protect you. It’s best to get one before the season hits hard, so you want to get one by the end of this month. In addition to getting your flu vaccination, you should also be washing your hands frequently, always before eating and after using the washroom. Do not sneeze or cough in your hand, always do so in your arm. Do not share drinks or food with others, even your children. Disinfect frequently used items, such as cell phones and keys. Unfortunately sometimes even if you do all of the above, you still may get sick. If you do, please stay home.

Not all people can receive the flu vaccine, so if the rest of us do, we are not only protecting ourselves but those who can’t. Ask your doctor or go to almost any pharmacy, it takes a few minutes and is usually free, if not it may be $10-$15. Which sure beats 7-10 days off without pay.