The flu has arrived in Waterloo Region
Posted Oct 29, 2018 06:52:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It's another sign flu season is here.
Region of Waterloo Public Health confirming they have already had their first lab-confirmed case of the flu in our region.
That case was confirmed on Monday morning.
They are reminding us the flu shot is free for anyone in Ontario who is six-months-old or older and works, lives or goes to school in the province.
Symptoms usually start one to four days after being exposed to the virus.
Those symptoms can include:
- fever
- chills
- cough
- runny nose
- stuffy nose
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle ache
They recommend you stay home and rest if you feel you have the flu, cover your mouth and nose with your arm or a tissue when coughing or sneezing and stay away from hospitals, as well as long-term care facilities.
Flu shot clinics, hosted by the region, will start on Monday, November 5. You can find more information on the region's website.
You can also get flu shots at pharmacies and walk-in clinics.
Provincial Health Minister, Christine Elliott got her flu shot at a pharmacy in Toronto on Monday.
“The flu shot is the best defence to reduce the risk of getting and spreading the virus,” said Elliott.
Health officials say it takes about two weeks for the flu vaccination to reach its full effect.
with files from Blair Adams and Christine Clark
