What is the flu?

A respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus

What are the symptoms?

Coughing, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes

Some people, particularly children, may experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

How do I get the flu?

When the flu virus comes into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes

The virus can live for as long as 48 hours on surfaces an infected person has touched

Most people are infectious for about a week, children could be longer

Where can I contract the flu?

You can get the flu anywhere

Flu season usually runs from late fall through to spring in the northern hemisphere

It runs from April-October in the southern hemisphere

Outbreaks at other times of the year also happen and in the tropics the flu virus is active year round

What vaccines are available?

A new flu vaccine is created every year based on the strains of influenza that are predicted to be active

The vaccine is usually available in October

How many shots will I need?

A single shot

Will I need a booster?

No

But you should be vaccinated every year as the strain varies year to year

How can I prevent the flu?

Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water

Use alcohol-based hand gel if soap and water are not available

Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your arm or sleeve, not into your hand

Avoid touching your face

Keep shared surfaces and items like doorknobs and telephones clean and disinfected

Stay home if you’re sick

What is the treatment for the flu?

Drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest

Most people recover on their own within 10 days

There is no effective drug treatment for the flu

"The Burnaby location has very nice staff that makes your less than fun stay much better (who likes being stuck by one or more needles). They give vaccinations for basically anything that you could need wile out travelling the world. "
Mike G - Yelp