Who should get a flu shot?
Everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador 6 months old and above should get a flu shot.
Public Health is recommending everyone get the flu shot, especially those people at high-risk of flu-related complications, including:
- Adults 65 years old and above;
- Anyone with a chronic medical condition;
- Residents in nursing homes, long-term care homes, and personal care homes;
- Health care workers;
- Care providers for children under the age of 5;
- Workers providing care in closed facilities such as correctional facilities; and,
- Pregnant women.
Can I get the COVID-19 shot at the same time as the flu shot?
Yes, if you are 6 months of age and older you can safely have COVID-19 and flu vaccine at the same time. For more information on eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Time For The Shot homepage.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by many viruses. It affects the nose, throat and lungs.
Symptoms include:
- High fever;
- Chills;
- Headache;
- Aches and pains;
- Extreme fatigue and weakness;
- Runny or stuffy nose;
- Sneezing;
- Coughing and chest discomfort; or,
- Sore throat.
How long does it take to recover from the flu?
Most people recover from the flu in 5 to 7 days.
If you have the flu, please stay home. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of clear liquids.
You can speak to your health care provider or call 811 to get advice on what you can do to manage your symptoms or whether you need to seek additional medical care.
For some people, the flu can be serious. If you’re in one of the high-risk groups, please monitor your symptoms.
If your symptoms get worse or your symptoms last a long time, please speak to your health care provider.
Possible complications of the flu include pneumonia, worsening of chronic conditions, or death.
How can I prevent myself from getting the flu?
To avoid getting and spreading the flu:
- Get the flu shot;
- Wash your hands frequently;
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow;
- Stay home if you are sick;
- Limit contact with other people while you are sick;
- Limit contact with others who are sick;
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth;
- Don’t share utensils, bottles, cosmetics; and,
- Disinfect surfaces regularly like taps, doorknobs and countertops.
What’s the difference between the flu and a cold?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses.
Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold and symptoms of the flu are more intense.
Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.
The flu can have very serious associated complications.