51°µÍø

Laurie-Ell Bashforth | Special to the 51°µÍø

These past couple of years have seen us shift our attention to things that matter: Family. Friends. Values we hold dear. Our health. The health of those around us.

We’ve rethought time.

We’re doing things that, for some, we’ve never done before. So, it may be difficult to put ourselves, mentally, into this flu season. But here we are. In it. 

Influenza continues to be a very probable health threat. In Canada, as well as other countries, we did see a lower, if not almost zero, influenza uptake during the pandemic. This was mainly due to isolation, quarantine, masking and hand hygiene practices. Though some of these practices are more sustainable and easier to manage than others, it’s important to recognize that we all have individual tools at our fingertips to aid in the transmission of influenza. 

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a respiratory (i.e., nose, throat and lung) infection that can be caused by influenza viruses. Many people use the word "flu" when they actually have a cold. Although the common cold is also caused by viruses, the flu and common cold differ in several ways.

In North America, flu almost always strikes between October and April. Most people who get the flu will recover within seven to 10 days, but some people are at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia. On average, about 3,500 people in Canada die each year from complications of influenza, and about 12,000 people with the flu are hospitalized. Most of these people have other medical conditions, are seniors, or are very young children.

Influenza is contagious, which means it can be spread easily from person to person mainly by droplets of respiratory fluids that are sent through the air when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. Other people inhale the airborne virus and can become infected.

The flu can also be spread when someone touches a surface (e.g., doorknobs, countertops, telephones) that has the virus on it and then touches his or her nose, mouth, or eyes. The flu is most easily spread in crowded places such as schools and offices.

It all sounds too familiar, doesn’t it?

Since the symptoms of an influenza infection can vary from the common cold, a diagnosis can be made fairly quickly. However, many symptoms of the flu are similar to other respiratory infections. If you think you have the flu, it’s important to contact your health care provider first. Your doctor will be able to tell that you have the flu if you have at least some or most of these symptoms:

• aches and pains everywhere, especially in the back and legs
• bad headache
• burning sensation in the chest
• dry cough at first, then bringing up sputum
• high fever
• nauseous feeling and possible vomiting
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• extreme tiredness

There are actions you can take to reduce your risk of getting the flu:

• Practice regular hand-washing using soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve. Dispose of the tissue right away. 
• If you have flu symptoms, stay home from work or school and avoid contact with people who are at a high risk of flu complications (e.g., seniors, nursing home residents).
• Get a flu shot. An annual flu shot is the most effective way to prevent the flu and its complications. Why? Flu antibodies can prevent flu. The only way to generate antibodies is to be infected or to get vaccinated. Because the flu viruses can change from year to year, vaccination needs to be repeated every year. The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone aged 6 months and older.

I keep a sign in my hallway, right by the bathroom: Understanding is love’s other name ~ Thich Nhat Hahn. To help me remember the things that matter.

With COVID-19 still running amuck in our lives, protecting yourself and others from influenza is particularly important to avoid what's been called a "twindemic" (overlapping pandemics of both COVID-19 and influenza). COVID-19 has caused an enormous strain on the health care system across the nation. During a normal winter season, the flu results in a significant number of hospitalizations. It's critical that people do what they can to help keep hospitals and other health care facilities from getting overwhelmed. For this reason, getting a flu shot is more important than ever.

You do you, not the flu.

Have more questions? Ask Merv, or Courtney, your Pharmasave pharmacists. And in case you missed all our warm fuzzies on social…thank you again for allowing us to serve you. It’s with a grateful heart that we were acknowledged with this year’s Exceptional Customer Service Award by Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce. Thank you!