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Be Flu Ready

Posted Oct 10th, 2013

Protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu and get a flu shot. There are a number of places you can go to get a flu shot. Niagara Region Public Health is holding a series of immunization clinics across the region. Many family doctors, walk-in clinics, pharmacies provide flu shots as well. 

Influenza, commonly referred to as “the flu,” is a serious and acute respiratory disease that can affect people of any age. Immunization helps to strengthen your body's natural immune response against the influenza virus.  People of any age can get the flu, and illness usually lasts two to seven days, sometimes longer in the elderly and in people with chronic diseases. Most people who get the flu are ill for only a few days. However, some people can become very ill, possibly developing complications and requiring hospitalization.

If you have symptoms of the flu, please visit an Urgent Care Centre, a Walk-in Clinic or your Family Doctor for care.

If you have a routine outpatient appointment or if you are visiting or accompanying a patient to the hospital and you have flu-like symptoms, such as a new cough, fever, runny nose, other respiratory symptoms, vomiting or diarrhea, please refrain from visiting the hospital until at least 48 hours after the last symptoms disappear. 

There are a number of additional resources about the flu on the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s website at www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/publichealth/flu/about_flu.aspx

Niagara Health System