It’s that time of year again: time for a flu shot! Cold and flu season is upon us, and it’s important to protect yourself, your family, and your co-workers from weeks of fever, congestion, coughs, aches, and pains. Don’t worry — it can be done! Here’s how.
First, it’s important to understand the differences between cold and flu. You might feel terrible, but still not have flu. Or you might wonder why you haven’t gotten over your cold, but actually have flu. Traditionally, flu is characterized by high fever, severe headaches, severe body aches, profound exhaustion, and a nasty cough. While a cold might make you feel bad, you can usually bounce back. Influenza creates a deep malaise — you might even start to feel a little depressed, simply because you can’t move.
Sounds like fun, huh? Yeah, right. So, how do you avoid it? GET YOUR FLU SHOT. Worried about getting your flu shot? Don’t be. Here are all the myths about the flu shot, debunked. The flu shot doesn’t make people sick. It doesn’t contain dangerous ingredients. Pregnant women do need it. And on and on and on. There is no reason whatsoever not to get your flu shot. Do it for yourself. Do it for your community. Herd immunity doesn’t happen all by itself, and it’s what saves the lives of the most vulnerable: infants, children, the elderly, and the sick.
So, where can you get your flu shot? Here’s a list:
- Flu shot clinics are available all over Ontario.The Ministry of Health and Long-term Care website can help you find the nearest, most convenient one.
- The City of Toronto has flu shot clinics, too. Lines move quickly, and it’ll be over before you know it.
- Shoppers Drug Mart is now providing flu shots. They can help get you ready for this season and you can even book an appointment online. These are free to you with your OHIP card.
How else can you avoid the flu? Frequent hand washing is key. This is a great excuse to buy a fantastic hand soap. Go ahead, splurge on something pretty and moisturizing. You (and your household) are far more likely to use wash hands when the hand soap smells delightful and feels good on the hands. And since you can’t carry hand soap with you, it’s worthwhile to invest in fun sizes of hand sanitizer. These also come in lovely fragrances, and they make great holiday stocking-stuffers.
