While flu season, for us, usually occurs during winter months, influenza occurs year round in the tropics. Health Canada recommends flu vaccine for everyone, including travelers, aged 6 months of age and older.
Travelers spend time in crowded airports, planes, trains and buses which can put them in environments with an increased risk of getting the flu. True influenza is a respiratory illness and symptoms are sudden onset of high fever (39), cough and muscle aches. Other symptoms can include headache chills loss of appetite fatigue and sore throat. Children can have vomiting and diarrhea. Most people will recover form flu after 7 to 10 days, but for those with chronic illness there is a risk of severe complications such as pneumonia. The vaccine is free for all Ontarians and is available from your health care provider including pharmacists.
