Preventing Flu Season in Montreal:
A Guide from Our Medical Experts Below are some tips and tricks that will help you and your family to get through the flu season in Montreal:
Flu season is around the corner and people of Montreal are getting ready for the chilly winters and the seasonal infections that come along with it. With cold weather, holiday celebrations, and people in close proximity, here are the conditions that enable flu spread. But, you can put your mind at ease because our medical experts are here to give you the ultimate guide to fight the flu season in Montreal and its best recommendations to stay healthy during the season.
Flu: What is it?
Influenza also referred to as the flu is an infectious disease, which is caused by the influenza virus. It doesn’t discriminate between children and the elderly, or between the healthy and the unhealthy, but children, elderly, and those with low immunity suffer from severe illness.
The flu virus is spread primarily through:
Airborne transmission: A person who has the flu spreads the virus when he/she speaks, coughs or sneezes thus releasing the viral droplets into the environment.
- Close contact: Shaking hands with a person who has flu or touching him or her.
- Contaminated surfaces: Ingestion of objects that have been in contact with the virus or touching surfaces that have been exposed to the virus.
Symptoms of the Flu, The flu can have many different symptoms and they are as follows:
- Fever (usually high): The fever is not very high, but it can be as high as 40o C.
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Diarrhoea and vomiting, and vomiting (diarrhoea is more common in children than in adults)
Prevention is Key
The flu can be avoided mostly and the following are some tips to avert it: Here are some essential tips to reduce your risk of getting sick:Our medical experts highly recommend getting vaccinated annually, especially for high-risk groups. The vaccine is easily available at most clinics, pharmacies as well as hospitals in Montreal.
Practice Good Hygiene
- Wash your hands regularly with soapy water and more so after;
Coughing or sneezing - If you have been in touch with a person who has the flu or have touched surfaces that may have the bacteria on it.
- Use hand sanitizer if you cannot get access to water and soap.
Avoid Close Contact
When possible, ensure that you keep at least one meter from a person who has flu symptoms such as cough or fever.
Stay Healthy
To build up your immunity, you need to:
- Get enough sleep (For adult between the age of 18-65 years should take seven to nine hours of sleep).
- Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grain products in your diet
- Be more active
- Manage stress by doing relaxation activities such as meditation or deep breathing
- Treatment and Care
In case of the flu it is recommended to go to the doctor as soon as possible. There is a class of drugs known as antiviral that can be used to treat the flu including oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) to help reduce the severity of the symptoms and the duration of the flu.
Home Remedies
Besides the medical treatment the following are some home remedies that can be used to help with flu symptoms:
- Drink a lot of water and other fluids such as clear broth for hydration as well as sports drinks that replenish electrolytes.
- To help with congestion and cough one can use a humidifier.
- To bring down fever and treat body aches and pains one can use over the counter drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
- It is advisable to take a lot of fluids and try to stay in bed as much as possible.
- High-Risk Groups
- Some people have a higher risk of contracting severe form of the flu. Such groups include:Children Under 5
Flu can cause serious complications including pneumonia and hospitalization especially in children below five years.
Seniors (65+)
Flu symptoms are more severe in the elderly, there is increased rates of flu related hospitalization and even death.
Pregnant Women
The flu virus affects pregnant women severely and has the potential of affecting the new born child also.
Individuals with Certain Health Conditions
Persons with chronic diseases for instance heart disease, diabetes and lung disease are at high risk of developing complications from the flu.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, it is recommended to contact a doctor immediately:
- Breath complications such as shortness of breath or Difficulty in breathing
- Chest discomfort or severe headache
- Fever that may arise for more than three days in the body
- Vomiting and or diarrhea, which may be severe especially in children and may last for more than two days.
- Severe weakness or confusion
- Worsening of the prior mentioned chronic diseases
Conclusion
To prevent the flu during the flu season in Montreal, one has to be very vigilant. Here are some tips to help you minimize your chances of coming down with the flu: Understanding the flu, Personal Hygiene, Taking the Flu Vaccine, and Being Healthy. If you do catch the flu it is recommended that you visit your doctor and follow their recommended course of action. Prevention is always better and therefore, following the tips and tricks from our medical experts, you will be able to face the flu season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the flu season in Montreal start and when does it end?
A: The flu season in Montreal is usually from December to April of each year.
Q: How often should one take the flu vaccine?
A: The flu vaccine offer protection for a period of six to eight months.
Q: Can one contract the flu through the flu vaccine?
A: No, the flu vaccine does not cause the flu. It contains inactivated or weakened viruses that elicits an immune response.
Q: How long does it take to recover from the flu?
A: Flu recovery period depends on the severity of the flu, the age of the person and other factors and it takes between 5 to 14 days.
Q: Can one use antibiotics in treating the flu?
A: No, antibiotics are not effective in treating the flu which is a viral infection. It is used in the treatment of bacterial infections.
Q: Can one catch the flu again during the same season?
A: Yes, it is possible to come down with the flu again in the same season as there are different strains of the flu virus. However, the flu vaccine can shield you from different strains of the flu virus.
Q: Can one spread the flu even before the appearance of flu symptoms?
A: Yes, it is possible to infect others even one day prior to the appearance of flu symptoms and upto 5-7 days after getting infected.
Q: How can I protect my baby from the flu?
A: Make sure that you and your baby’s care giver are vaccinated, wash your hands often and ensure that the baby does not come near someone who is sick.
Q: Is it allowed to exercise when one has the flu?
A: No, it is recommended that one should stay in bed and refrain from exercising when one has the flu with a view of enabling the body to build up energy.
Q: Can I catch the flu by touching things that have been contaminated?
A: Yes, if you contract the flu virus by touching surfaces then transfer the virus to your face or mouth. You are advised to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.