How to Protect Yourself from the Seasonal Flu

The seasonal flu is a mild experience for most, but it can be severe and life-threatening for others, leading to hospitalization and making existing health conditions worse.

The best way to protect yourself and others is with flu vaccines Vancouver, which everyone 6 months and older should be getting every year right before the flu season starts. They prevent you from getting sick or even hospitalized from complications from the flu, and lowers the risk of death in older people or those already struggling with health conditions that can be made worse. When you lower the chances of you getting the flu, you also protect those around you.

When should I get the flu shot?

It takes your body about 2 weeks to build up the antibodies from the flu shot to fight off the flu, should you contract it. It’s a good idea to get it before the end of October to give your body enough time to develop the antibodies, right before flu season begins and starts to spread across your community.

How late can I get it?

If you didn’t get a chance to get your flu shot by October, it will still be effective get-ting it later. Keep in mind that the flu can linger and keep spreading all the way through spring, until May.

How else can I protect myself?

Protecting yourself includes a few simple things you can implement into your daily routine and hygiene, as well as your kids’.
•Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with antibacterial soap.
•If you need to cough or sneeze, do so away from people and into the crook of your elbow (not your hands).
•During peak flu season, try to stay at home as much as you can and avoid unnecessary outings in crowded places.
•Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose when in crowded places.
•Stay away from people who are sick or just recovering from the flu.
•Stay at home an extra 24 hours after your fever is gone.
•Implement plenty of vitamin C into your diet, whether from citrus fruits or supplements.

Although there are many things out of our control when it comes to contracting the flu, there are many things within our control. If you want to speak to our clinic doctors about flu vaccines Vancouver or travel vaccines Vancouver, get in touch with us.