Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
Seasonal influenza is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. It is more commonly known as the flu. Different strains of the virus that can lead to illness circulate every year. It is estimated that 10 to 25 per cent of Canadians could get the flu during the flu season, which typically runs from November to April. Although anyone can get the flu, infants and the elderly are at most risk of developing complications.
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Symptoms
Symptoms generally appear suddenly after infection. They can include cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, joint pain and exhaustion. Some people infected with the flu may not develop symptoms, but they may still be able to spread it to others.
Causes
The flu is caused by the influenza virus and is easily spread from person to person through airborne respiratory droplets formed when coughing or sneezing. You can become infected if you breathe in these droplets through your nose or mouth or if the droplets come into contact with your eyes. The virus can also be spread through the sharing of food or drinks. You can also catch it by touching objects contaminated with the flu virus, then touching your mouth, eyes or nose.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms of the flu. For fever, drink plenty of fluid, eat small servings of nutritious meals and take acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol®, Tempra®). When taking acetaminophen, use the dose and schedule recommended on the package or by your doctor. For other flu symptoms, get plenty of rest, gargle warm salt water if you have a sore throat, and use a cool mist humidifier to help with a stuffy nose.
Prevention
The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu is through immunization. Manitoba has a provincial immunization program, which provides free, publicly-funded vaccines to those who are eligible.
There are many different strains of the flu virus. The vaccine cannot protect against all of them. Scientists monitor the global spread of flu and decide which three flu strains will likely cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season. Those three strains are put into the flu vaccine each year. So it is important to get immunized against the flu every year.
Other precautions can be taken, including: practicing good hand hygiene, covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
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