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What is influenza?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

How is influenza spread?

Influenza is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Children, especially younger children, might transmit the virus for longer periods.

How do I protect myself and others?

The flu shot is the best defence to protect yourself, your family and those you care for.  It has been shown to reduce the number of doctor visits, hospitalizations and deaths related to influenza.

• Get the flu shot early and every year
• Wash your hands often
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze
• Try not to touch your face
• Stay at home when you’re sick
• Clean and disinfect common surfaces and items

What signs should I watch for?

Influenza signs include fever, headache, chills, cough, fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, muscle aches, extreme weakness and tiredness. It is important to note that not everyone with influenza will have a fever. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. The elderly, young children and people with chronic illnesses are at greater risk of more severe complications.

How is influenza diagnosed?

It is very difficult to tell the difference between the flu and other viral or bacterial illnesses based on the symptoms alone. Influenza is diagnosed by swiping the inside of your nose or the back of your throat with a swab and then sending the swab for testing.  Only health care providers can do the swab.

What is the difference between the common cold and influenza?

What is the treatment for influenza?

Prescription medicines can be given to fight against the flu in your body. These are not sold over-the-counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your health care provider. These medicines are different from antibiotics, which only fight against bacterial infections.

What if I have influenza?

• stay home and get plenty of rest
• drink lots of fluids
• avoid drinks with caffeine
• take basic pain or fever relievers but do not give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®) to children or teenagers under the age of 18
• treat muscle pain using a hot water bottle or heating pad — apply heat for short periods of time
• take a warm bath
• gargle with a glass of warm salt water or suck on hard candy or lozenges
• use spray or saline drops for a stuffy nose
• avoid alcohol and tobacco
• keep surfaces clean
• sneeze or cough into a tissue or upper sleeve, not your hands
• dispose of tissues immediately after use
• wash your hands often
• avoid close contact with infants, pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and those with chronic health issues (anyone in these groups can catch the flu easily)

If you or someone you care for is at a higher risk for complications from influenza, call your doctor or nurse practitioner if:

• you don’t start to feel better after a few days
• your symptoms get worse
• you develop flu symptoms are and considered at higher risk for influenza complications:
• seniors (people 65+ years)
• children under five years old
• pregnant women
• people with underlying health conditions
• Indigenous peoples

For data on the incidence of Influenza in Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario, please visit the Influenza page on the health unit’s HealthSTATS site.