Did You Know:
The ‘Stomach Flu’ is NOT the Flu? & 4 More Myths about the Flu
How often have you heard that someone is at home sick with the ‘stomach flu?’ There is actually no such thing as the stomach flu!
The true flu virus is a severe upper respiratory infection caused by one of three classes of influenza virus.
Flu symptoms include:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (very tired)
The ‘stomach flu’ you hear of is actually an inflammation of the stomach and intestines called viral gastroenteritis and is caused by a viral, and rarely bacterial infection – usually caused by norovirus or rotavirus. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Norovirus outbreaks can occur throughout the year. But, over 80% of the outbreaks occur from November to April – the same time as flu season. However, norovirus is NOT the flu!
What other facts and fictions might you have heard about the flu? Read on for 4 Myths about the Flu and check back next month for round 2!
1. MYTH: You can catch the flu from the vaccine. The vaccine is made from an inactivated virus that can’t transmit infection. So if you get sick after being vaccinated you were already going to get sick. It takes up to two weeks to have optimal protection from the vaccine. But people assume that because they got sick after getting the vaccine, the shot caused their illness.
2. MYTH: Healthy people don’t need to be vaccinated. It’s true that the flu vaccination is routinely recommended for people who have a chronic illness. But anyone — even healthy folks — can benefit from being vaccinated. In addition, the flu shot is recommended for healthy people who might spread the virus to others who are particularly susceptible.
3. MYTH: Getting the flu vaccination is all you need to do to protect yourself from the flu. There are many ways you can protect yourself and others a few examples are:
- Avoid those who have the flu
- Wash your hands regularly
- If you feel unwell STAY HOME don’t spread, it to others or put yourself at risk of developing a more severe case.
4. MYTH: The flu is just a bad cold. Influenza may cause bad cold symptoms, such as a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, and cough. In 2014-2015 flu season, there were 7719 reported/confirmed hospitalizations and 591 deaths from the flu in Canada alone. (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Onsite Flu Clinics
Protect yourself and protect your employees by offering an onsite flu clinic. Employees are more likely to be vaccinated when a flu shot clinic is offered onsite, during working hours. A flu shot clinic is a strong contributor to an overall workplace wellness strategy, as the employee can see that their organization is looking out for their health. Give our Flu Clinic Coordinator a call today to book your spot!
We provide onsite flu clinics in the Waterloo Region as well as Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, including:
- Kitchener
- Waterloo
- Cambridge
- Plattsville
- Elmira
- Guelph
- Wellington-Dufferin
- Ayr
- Baden
- New Hamburg
- Wellesley
- and more!
Call us today to book your clinic for the 2016/17 flu season – 519 896-3330