Flu Prevention - Three Ways to Keep You Healthy During Flu Season.
It’s that time of year again when the temperature suddenly drops and we realize that flu season is fast approaching. Follow these simple tips from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Medcan, to keep you healthy this flu season:
1. Wash your hands. It’s the number one tip, because it works.
- With warm running water, wet your hands. Add some soap and then rub your hands together to form a soapy lather. Do this for about 15 seconds or the length of the happy birthday song. Make sure to wash every crack and nook, as well as under your finger nails. Rinse hands well under the warm water, pat them dry and turn off the water using the same paper towel.
- If you’re on the go and there’s no running water, applying antiseptic hand sanitizer is always a great back up plan. Place about one or 2 pumps of the sanitizer onto your hands, then using a rubbing motion cover your hands completely, including underneath your nails. Rub hands until they feel dry.
2. Take time to get the flu vaccine. For Medcan members or individulas coming in for their Comprehensive Health Assessment Medcan is offering both the traditional Public Health flu vaccine as well as a new flu vaccine called Intanza. The Instanza vaccine is just as effective as the traditional vaccine. The difference is that it is an intradermal injection that when administered into the arm only permeates into the top layer of skin and not into the deep muscle tissue, making the vaccination less painful upon administration. It also helps to avoid the side-effect some people experience of having an achy arm after the shot. The Intanza vaccination is only available to clients between the ages of 18-59.
3. Take anti-viral medications if your Physician prescribes them – this can help make the illness milder and shorten the length of the time you are sick.
Sometimes it’s unavoidable and sickness occurs. However, remember you can always stay away from individuals who are sick. If you are sick, stay home if possible. Following these quick tips and simple steps will help focus on prevention of the flu, meaning, less time sick in bed and more time to enjoy the winter months.
Do you need a flu vaccination? Click here for additional information on the 2010/2011 flu vaccine.
To book your Comprehensive Health Assessment and your flu shot please contact the Medcan bookings team at (416) 350-5900 or email bookings@medcan.com.
By Angela Robbins, RN Nurse Consultant