Flu season is upon us, and this year the H1N1 strain has reared its nasty little head yet again.
This vicious strain of influenza attacks the young and healthy more viciously than other strains.
During the 2009-10 flu season, the swine flu鈥攁s H1N1 is commonly known鈥攌illed more than 400 people across the country. In Alberta alone, there were more than 1,600 confirmed cases of the virus and 71 deaths.
This year鈥檚 flu season hasn鈥檛 yet reached pandemic levels, but already there are 10 deaths and 300 confirmed cases recorded in Alberta.
Most of these cases could have been avoided.
All it takes is a visit to a clinic or pharmacy for a quick jab of the needle to protect yourself from the flu鈥擧1N1 is included in the vaccinations. It may be painful for a split second, but a moment of pain is surely better than a week or more of muscle aches, fever and cough. And it鈥檚 most definitely more enjoyable than spending the day with your head or butt over the toilet.
Health officials have been encouraging Albertans to get immunized for a few days now and in the cities, clinics have been swamped with people.
Fortunately for us in Jasper, the lines will be a heck of a lot shorter, especially since there are three locations administering the shot: Seton Healthcare Centre, Pharmasave and Rexall.
So, protect yourself and the people around you this flu season. All it takes is a coffee break鈥檚 worth of time and a determination to live through a painful prick. It鈥檒l be over before you know it and it will ensure you鈥檙e healthy enough to enjoy all of the Jasper in January events that are just around the corner.
There really are no excuses for holding out. The shot is free and easily accessible.
So why not make it an office outing this week? Challenge your colleagues to join you in ensuring your workplace is a healthy place to be this winter. That way, not only will you and your coworkers be safe, so will your clientele, your family and your friends.
And in the meantime, be sure to wash your hands frequently. And, if you鈥檙e sick, stay home.
