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Flu (influenza)

Influenza (flu) is a contagious lung disease caused by the influenza virus. This is a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19. There are big waves of flu cases every year, usually in the fall and winter. 

The flu can cause cough, muscle aches and fever. It spreads quickly and easily to other people, through our breath, especially when we are close to each other indoors.  

Most people get better from flu infections after about a week, but some people get sick enough to need hospital care.

Babies, Elders, and people living with chronic diseases are more vulnerable to get very sick and suffer severe complications from the flu.  

Getting a yearly flu vaccine (flu shot) is your best protection against the flu. When you're vaccinated you are:

  • Protected if you are exposed to the virus.
  • Protected from getting very sick if you become infected.
  • Protecting people around you, because when you're vaccinated, you're less likely to spread the virus to other people. 

If you do have symptoms, wearing a medical mask when you're around people provides a strong layer of protection to prevent the spread of infection. 

Washing your hands frequently is also helpful to prevent the spread of the flu virus. 

 

 

Stay home if you are sick

The flu has similar symptoms as a COVID-19 infection. If you are experiencing any symptoms, stay home.

 

THE FLU CAN BE SERIOUS 

The flu is very contagious and spreads quickly and easily to other people. You may be passing the flu on to others before you even know you are sick. Wearing a medical mask and washing your hands frequently are also helpful ways to protect yourself and others from the flu. 

We are all at risk of getting the flu, but the flu will not affect us all the same way. Most people who get the flu will get better quickly, sometimes after only a few days or up to 2 weeks. However, some people will get very sick and need hospitalization. Even healthy people may have serious problems from the flu.  

Complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure are possible, and flu may also worsen existing chronic health conditions such as asthma. Flu may also trigger other serious complications such as inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissues, and multi-organ failure. 

It can also be deadly – in Canada, on average, close to 3,500 people die each year of the flu. This is more common in people who are elderly and who are living with chronic diseases like diabetes. 

 

Some people are at higher risk of health complications from flu: 

· Elders 75 years old or more 

· People with a chronic disease such as: 

  • cancer or other conditions that compromise the immune system 

  • diabetes 

  • heart disease 

  • lung disease 

  • anemia 

  • obesity 

  • kidney disease 

  • liver disease 

  • neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions 

· People on immunosuppressive treatments (like corticosteroids, auto-immune disease treatments, etc.) 

· Pregnant women 

· People living in long-term care homes 

· Babies under the age of 6 months old 

Explore more about Infections

Infections happen when germs enter someone’s body, and start to make the person sick.

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