From sneezing to coughing to feeling like you just can't make it out of bed, the signs of the flu can come on fairly fast, yet can leave an impact for days and sometimes weeks.
The flu season usually runs from November through April and impacts an estimated 10 to 25 per cent of Canadians annually, according to Health Canada. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat and muscle aches.
The following are a few tips that you can use to keep your family safe and flu-free for the remainder of the season.
Why is the flu so dangerous?
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can lead to hospitalization for some individuals, making prevention an important part of preserving health and wellness.
As a charity organization, the Canadian Red Cross plays an important role in responding to public health emergencies and disasters and providing people affected by the incidents with resources that are useful for recovery efforts.
Keeping your family safe
The Canadian Red Cross urges individuals to practice several prevention techniques in order to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy.
These techniques include:
- Washing your hands frequently in warm water while using plenty of soap. Before dipping hands in running water, be sure to give yourself time to lather up by counting to 15 and scrubbing between fingers and underneath nails.
- Covering your mouth when you cough.
- Staying at home if you feel sick.
- Using a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
- Receiving a vaccination from a healthcare provider.
Another excellent way to prevent the flu from affecting your family is to monitor the condition using mobile applications that are designed to track the development of the flu and provide helpful resources to those impacted by it.
How you can help
The Canadian Red Cross strives to help those in need as a result of emergencies and disasters, both across the country and abroad. By educating Canadians with a range of programs, the Canadian Red Cross also works to prevent incidents from occurring.
With your assistance, the Canadian Red Cross can continue to offer a variety of services that respond to the needs of people affected by adversity.
To show your support today, please donate online or visit your local Canadian Red Cross office today to learn more.