Take Your Best Shot Against The Flu

Take your best shot against the flu this season with these practical tips:

5 Ways to Prevent the Flu

Frequent Hand Washing

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs like flu viruses to others. Hand washing can prevent about 20% of respiratory infections. Hands should be washed with soap and clean, running water; after using the bathroom, coughing or sneezing, and before eating, serving or preparing food.

Stay Active

Being physically active can improve health in many ways and make you feel better overall. Moderate amounts (30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week) of aerobic exercise such as jogging, brisk walking and cycling during the cold and flu season can help boost the body’s defenses against viruses and bacteria.

Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet

Another great way to boost immunity and prevent the flu is to eat a healthy balanced diet. Include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats in your diet for nutrients and antioxidants that can help boost the immune system. Also check with your pharmacist about vitamins and supplements that may help boost your immunity!

Stay Home and get Plenty of Rest

If you get sick with flu symptoms, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Rest can help the body recover faster. However, if you have flu symptoms and are in a high risk group, contact your health care provider.

Get Your Annual Flu Shot!

The seasonal flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu. Getting vaccinated doesn’t only protect your own health, it also helps people around you because there’s less chance you’ll catch the flu and pass it on.

According to Health Canada, everyone over six months should receive the vaccine, including those who are pregnant, adults 65 years and older and people with chronic conditions such as heart, lung and kidney disorders, cancer and diabetes.

• When you get vaccinated, you help protect others by reducing the spread of the flu virus
• Adults aged 65 years and older are more severely affected by the flu because their immune system decrease with age and are less able to fight the infection
• Not all flu vaccines are equally effective in adults 65 years and older. Ask our pharmacist about the high-dose vaccine specially formulated for this age group.

Contact your Save-On-Foods Pharmacy today to check for availability and schedule your annual flu shot.