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Flu season settles into the Shuswap

Get out the tissues and hot fluids, the flu is on the way.

Get out the tissues and hot fluids, the flu is on the way.

Dr. Rob Parker, medical health officer in Interior Health says three strains of influenza are definitely circulating – primarily in the elementary schools.

“It came in over Christmas and is on the ramp-up now,” Parker says, noting most years there are more than one strain. “It looks like we got three this year, two As and one B, and all are included in the fall immunization shot.”

IH is starting to get reports from Okanagan elementary schools that they’re getting greater than 10 per cent absenteeism, says Parker. While School District #83 is not yet experiencing absenteeism to the same degree, Parker believes they will over the next few weeks.

He says access to the vaccine is still possible, so those who are over 65 or have chronic health conditions and suggests they call the local public health office or their family doctor.

It takes about two weeks for the body to build immunity, and the flu vaccine, which is comprised of killed virus does not cause the flu, says Parker – neither do drafts, chills or wet feet.

But when the flu arrives, it can come on like a freight train.

“You might feel perfectly fine in the morning and suddenly develop a headache and sore throat,” he says, noting once the symptoms arrive a person is infectious and should go home, and stay put for five days because that’s generally how long they are infectious.

Most people will have a fever initially and if it’s making you uncomfortable, Parker recommends acetaminophen for children and ibuprophen for adults, who have aching muscles.

Although the flu is most commonly spread by coughing, Parker says it also gets passed on by hand. He suggests frequent hand-washing to avoid picking up viruses left on door knobs, computers, telephone equipment or other surfaces.

Get rest, take fluids, and you’ll likely begin to feel better in a few days.