Free flu shot clinics are coming to campus for students, staff and faculty on November 10, 10 a.m. until noon, November 16, noon until 3 p.m., and November 25, 10 a.m. until noon, in the Athletic Complex Conference Room on the first floor. No appointment is needed.
Trent's Health Services Office offers the following information. For more, contact Janet Schmidt, health educator, janetschmidt@trentu.ca.
- The flu is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of influenza viruses.
- It is most common in the fall and winter and is highly contagious.
- When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby.
- Flu is much worse than a cold. The onset of flu often seems sudden; people describe feeling like they've been hit by a truck. The signs of the flu are the sudden onset of a high fever accompanied by chills, muscle and joint aches, headache, and a dry cough.
- Flu hospitalizes 70,000 – 75,000 Canadians each year and it is estimated that the flu and its complications cause thousands of deaths each year.
What can you do?
- Protect Yourself and the People Around You - get the flu vaccine each fall. It is the single best way to protect against the flu. It takes two weeks for the vaccine to take effect. The flu shot will NOT give you the flu.
- Keep your distance, if possible from people who have the flu since the virus is spread when a person coughs or sneezes.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Maintain a strong immune system: Eat well. Get plenty of rest. Control stress.
- Read about influenza and locate community clinics: www.pcchu.peterborough.on.ca
Posted November 3, 2004 |
