2005 Flu Campaign Begins

Public health officials are reminding Nova Scotians to take action to protect themselves and their family members against flu this season.

Immunization is the most effective way to protect against influenza. Because you can be infected with the flu virus and not have symptoms, you can also be at risk of passing the illness on to others.

"When you get a flu shot, you protect not only your own health, but the health of the people around you," said Dr. Robert Strang, medical officer of health for Capital Health. "Each fall we need to remember the importance of immunization in protecting people, young and old, from symptoms of the flu, and potentially serious complications."

The Department of Health is providing free vaccine at doctors' offices and community clinics across the province for the following groups:

• people over age 65
• people living with, or caring for, those over age 65
• adults and children with chronic heart and lung problems
  other chronic diseases
• babies age six months to 23 months
• all health-care workers and students in health-care
  educational programs
• police officers and firefighters.

"This is the time of year we remind people that a flu shot is the most effective way to protect against influenza," said Health Minister Angus MacIsaac. "If we increase the number of people who are immunized, particularly those in high-risk groups, we will keep people healthier and reduce the strain on our health-care system during flu season."

Because physicians and health-care providers are often in frequent contact with those at risk of contracting the flu, it is imperative that members of this group be vaccinated.

"Doctors play a key role in the prevention of and protection against the flu," said Dr. Maria Alexiadis, past president, Doctors Nova Scotia. "It is our responsibility to ensure high-risk individuals know about and are offered a flu shot each year. It is also our duty to set a positive example by being immunized ourselves and encouraging all health-care workers to do the same."

A typical flu season in Nova Scotia runs from November to April, sending thousands of Nova Scotians to their doctor. Every year between 500 and 1,500 Canadians, mostly seniors, will die from pneumonia and other complications of the flu.

Many people mistake the flu for other respiratory or stomach illnesses. Flu symptoms usually include a sudden high fever, headache, general aches and pains, fatigue and weakness, a runny, stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat.

Proper hygiene such as hand-washing and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing are also important in preventing the spread of influenza and many other infections.

For more information on the flu, or to find out where flu vaccine clinics are across the province, visit www.gov.ns.ca/health .