Now that we are in the month of November, colder weather will soon be upon us and that means the cold and flu season.
Southeast Public Health are reminding residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illness, including influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
They say infection can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to serious health complications, even in healthy children and adults. They add this could be a strain on health-care services.
SEPH say flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available through health-care providers and participating pharmacies free of charge to everyone six months of age and older who lives, works or goes to school in Ontario.
RSV vaccine for adults is available through health-care providers or at a SEPH routine immunization clinic if they don’t have a health-care provider. The RSV vaccine is anyone 75 and older, and those between the age of 60 and 74 who are at high-risk of infection.
People who have symptoms of illness should stay home while they are feeling unwell or if they have a fever, and until symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours, or 48 hours if symptoms include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Story by Ken Hashizume
