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Know Your Winter Illnesses

Jan 10, 2019 | 11:05 AM

Influenza has been hitting Saskatchewan hard this year. Here are some facts…

What is influenza?
Influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory (breathing) illness. It can cause mild to severe illness, even death. Symptoms usually include a sudden onset of fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, sore throat, tiredness and cough. Fever may not be prominent in children or the elderly and while nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are not common in adults, they may occur in children.

Why get your yearly influenza vaccination?
It is the best tool modern medicine currently has to prevent infection with influenza viruses. The vaccine changes year to year to try to best match the strains of influenza circulating that year. Influenza vaccine clinics are still available. Find one here or get one at your local pharmacy (must be 5 years or older): https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/…/…/Clinic-Locations.aspx

What should I do if I suspect influenza?
http://publications.gov.sk.ca/…/94747-influenza-decision-ch…

What else can I do to protect myself?
Get the influenza vaccine, which is available to anyone over 6 months old. Wash your hands often. Clean common surfaces often. Cough into your elbow (not your hands).

Stay home if you feel sick.

More information: The Government of Saskatchewan weekly influenza activity report can be found here: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/…/other-repor…/influenza-reports