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Cold & Flu Direct

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It can be tricky to stay healthy during cold and flu season, but a few good cold and flu prevention habits can get you through without succumbing to illness. Increase your child's cold and flu defence by teaching them these cold and flu prevention tips.

Get an annual flu shot

Make sure your family members get a flu shot too!

Wash your hands frequently

Twenty seconds of hand washing with warm water and soap helps remove bacteria and viruses. Remember to wash before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and after touching surfaces that may have been contaminated by other people.

Cover up when you cough or sneeze

Use a tissue, or raise your arm up to your face to cough or sneeze into your sleeve. If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands immediately.

Keep shared surface areas clean

Doorknobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards and other surfaces can become contaminated with all kinds of bacteria and viruses. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of these surfaces can help.

If you get sick, stay home

If you go out when you're sick, you may spread your illness to co-workers, classmates, neighbours or others. It may take you longer to get better if you are not well rested. Wait until you no longer have a fever and your cough is improving.

Talk about staying healthy

If you have children, be a good role model. Teach them to count to 20 while washing their hands and show them how to cover up when they cough or sneeze.

Cold & Flu Facts

• Seasonal Flu is a disease caused by influenza viruses carried and spread among humans.
• Seasonal Flu is spread by breathing droplets that have been sneezed or coughed into the air by someone with the flu, or having the droplets land on the surface of your eye.
• Seasonal Flu is spread by shaking hands with an infected person or touching a contaminated surface, and then touching your own eyes, nose or mouth.
• There are two types of influenza viruses that cause outbreaks each year: Influenza A and B.
• Influenza usually starts with the sudden onset of a headache, sore throat and muscle aches.

What is the difference between a cold and influenza?

A cold is a mild infection of the upper respiratory passages caused by a variety of viruses. A cold may last for a week and symptoms include a runny nose, stuffy nose, cough and sore throat. A cold is caused by a rhinovirus, which is much different than an influenza virus. A person with a cold will not usually have a headache, fever or muscle aches. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea do not usually accompany a cold.

Most people will recover from the flu within seven to ten days, but some don't. People over 65, and adults and children with chronic conditions - such as diabetes and cancer - are at greater risk of more severe complications, such as pneumonia. Between 4000 and 8000 people die of the flu and its complications in Canada each year.

Influenza occurs worldwide. The highest level of flu activity in the northern hemisphere is usually from January to March. However, there can still be occasional cases and even outbreaks that occur at any time of the year.

What is an influenza pandemic?

If an influenza virus changes and becomes a new strain against which people have little or no immunity AND this new strain is easily spread from person to person, many people around the world could become ill and possibly die. This is referred to as an influenza pandemic. Influenza pandemics have occurred about three times per century.

Cold and Flu Tips and Facts, Courtesy Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)