HURON COUNTY – Health officials are encouraging local residents to get their flu shots, as clinics start up across the county this month.
“We expect to see flu activity in Ontario soon, so we hope people will take advantage of the free clinics over the next several weeks,” said Ruth Ann Ogilvie, a public health nurse. She said the body takes two weeks to build up full protection after getting the flu shot.
Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads rapidly from person to person through droplets from the nose and throat of someone infected particularly when they cough and sneeze.
Symptoms start with a headache, chills and cough, followed rapidly by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children. It lasts seven to 10 days and the cough may last weeks.
Influenza can easily spread to those at risk for serious illness. This group includes babies and young children, the elderly, or anyone with medical conditions like asthma, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer or heart problems.
The Huron County Health Unit is holding free flu clinics across Huron County starting in mid-October. The full list of clinics is on the health unit website.
“The flu shot is a safe, effective way to protect yourself, your family, your classmates, your co-workers, and your friends from getting the flu,” she said.
It is free for people who live, work, or go to school in Ontario.
People cannot get the flu from the flu shot because it does not contain a live virus, Ogilvie said, adding it is still possible to get the flu even if you’ve had the flu shot, although the illness will likely be less severe because the flu shot has given the body the chance to build antibodies against the viruses.
