megram - Index

megram - 55Ottawa - Index

Fall and Early Winter
Ripe for Flu Virus
How to keep the “bug” away
Every winter between November
and April, nearly one quarter of
Canadians are infected with the
influenza virus. Most people can be
bedridden for up to 10 days, thousands
become more seriously ill and
thousands more die from complications,
such as pneumonia, bronchitis,
kidney failure and heart failure.
What is the flu?
Influenza (or flu) is a highly contagious
respiratory disease caused by a
virus. Symptoms include:
• high fever (often 38∞C to 40∞C,lasting
three to four days)
• headaches and severe muscle aches
and pain
• extreme fatigue and weakness
• chills, cough, chest discomfort and
sweating
• may include sore throat, runny nose,
nasal congestion and sneezing.
The flu almost never causes gastrointestinal
symptoms such as diarrhea
and vomiting. Hence, the term
“stomach flu” is a misnomer; it is not
influenza at all.
How is the flu virus spread?
Influenza spreads rapidly from
person to person by airborne droplets
September 2008 • Ottawa 30 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
carried in a cough or a sneeze. The
virus can survive up to 48 hours on a
nonporous surface such as a telephone
receiver, computer keyboard,
doorknob or coffee pot handle.
Infected individuals can be contagious
for about one day before their symptoms
appear and up to one week afterwards.
How is flu treated?
Since antibiotics have no effect on
viral illnesses such as influenza, the
best medicine is prevention: an annual
vaccination each fall, regular exercise
and a healthy diet.
Meet man’s new
best friend
BF Vacuum
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298 Richmond Road
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613-722-3434
www.bfvacuum.ca