Red Deerians will soon be able to roll up their sleeves and get some defensive help against coming down with influenza over the next several months.
Alberta Health Services has released information regarding times and locations of immunization clinics over the coming weeks.
At the Golden Circle, a clinic runs Nov. 4th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the Red Deer Curling Centre, clinics runs Oct. 20th-21st and Nov. 10th from 9:30 to 4 p.m. There is also one scheduled for Nov. 24th from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The First Christian Reformed Church is also hosting several clinics – Nov. 8th and Nov. 22nd from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
The Red Deer iHotel has clinics running Oct. 23rd, Nov. 5th, Nov. 12th-13th, Nov. 19th-20th from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m.
And finally, several clinics are set to run at Westerner Park as well – Oct. 25th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 28th-30th from 12:30 to 7 p.m.
All clinics are run on a drop-in basis.
According to AHS, influenza (flu) is a viral infection.
People often use the term ‘flu’ to describe any kind of mild illness, such as a cold or a stomach virus that has symptoms like the flu. But the real flu is different. Flu symptoms are usually worse than a cold and last longer. The flu usually does not cause vomiting or diarrhea in adults.
Most flu outbreaks happen in late fall and winter.
The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst for the first three or four days. But it can take one to two weeks to get completely better.
It usually takes one to four days to get symptoms of the flu after you have been around someone who has the virus.
Most people get better without problems. But sometimes the flu can lead to a bacterial infection such as an ear infection, a sinus infection or bronchitis. In rare cases, the flu may cause a more serious problem such as pneumonia.
Officials say that it’s best to get the vaccine as soon as it’s available. It comes as a shot or in a spray that you breathe in through your nose.
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine.
The vaccine is especially important for people who are at higher risk of problems from the flu, including adults age 65 and older; adults and children who have long-term health problems or an impaired immune system; children six to 59 months of age; women who will be pregnant during the flu season; children who are 24 months to 18 years old who use long-term Aspirin treatment; people who are obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more; people who live in nursing homes or long-term care centres and First Nations peoples.
The flu vaccine is also important for health care workers, anyone who lives or works with a person who is at higher risk of problems from the flu and people who provide essential community services.
There are also a number of tips to help folks recover – get extra rest and drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost from fever. If fever is uncomfortable, sponge your body with lukewarm water to reduce fever. Do not use cold water or ice. Lowering the fever will not make your symptoms go away faster, but it may make you more comfortable.
Avoid smoking and breathing second-hand smoke. This is good advice anytime, but it is especially important when you have a respiratory infection like a cold or the flu.
– Weber
