Getting your flu shot ‘has never been easier’. Who should get one and why
It’s that time of year for Canadians — the dreaded cold and flu season.
While there’s no stopping the seasonal virus from knocking on Canada’s door, there are ways to reduce your risk of infection.
However, the difficult question is how to identify the differences between the flu, otherwise known as the influenza virus and the common cold.
“What’s commonly known as the flu is actually caused by the influenza virus,” said Rexall Senior Manager, Amit Joshi.
“The influenza virus is an airborne virus — a lot of the symptoms overlap with the common cold. However, the key difference with the flu is that the onset of symptoms is a lot quicker and a lot more severe."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu usually comes on 'suddenly'.
While everyone’s experience with the flu is different, the CDC provides a list of common flu symptoms, which can include:
fever or feeling feverish/chills
cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
muscle or body aches
headaches
fatigue (tiredness)
vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults
Joshi explains that people are more prone to getting sick during the fall and winter months.
"In the fall and the winter, the air is a alot drier and cold which makes it easier for the influenza virus to spread. But also we’re indoors, so we’re in close physical contact with each other. It is an airborne virus, so it’s spread through coughing, sneezing through the droplets and touching surfaces that someone who is infected may have touched."
In the wake of COVID-19, the importance of getting vaccinated to protect our health has been highlighted worldwide.
Joshi explains that the best way to protect yourself against the flu this cold and flu season is by getting the flu shot if eligible.
“Every year the flu shot is studied, the strains that are included in it are best matched with the virus strains that are out in circulation," Joshi said. "Over a year, your immunity to the flu shot also starts to wane, so it’s important to get your flu shot every year.”
While anyone, regardless of age, can get sick from the flu, the CDC states that some population groups have a higher risk of complications. These groups include adults over the age 65, children under the age 5, pregnant people and those with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
“Getting the flu shot has never been easier," explained Joshi. "You can get in at any pharmacy across the country, all our Rexall pharmacies are offering the flu shot, there's public health outlets and your physician, as well."
Image courtesy: Getty Images
The most common symptoms a person can experience after being administered the flu shot are soreness, redness, and swelling in the location the shot was given. These symptoms can last for 1-2 days after getting your shot.
However, if you do wake up on a cold winter morning with flu-like symptoms, Joshi has some suggested home and over-the-counter remedies for alleviating them.
“Speak to your pharmacist about what's safe for you... some symptoms like headache, body aches and soreness can be treated by ibuprofen… having a cough or sore throat there are lozenges to help with the pain.”
Drinking lots of water for hydration, taking hot showers to eliminate congestion, and drinking hot tea with honey, are additional ways you can help reduce your symptoms from the comfort of your home.
Just as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the effectiveness of vaccines, the flu shot is no different. In fact, health professionals recommend the flu shot as the most optimal solution to protect the health of you and your loved ones during the cold and flu seasons.
