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Canadian School Of Natural Nutrition 1107 Lorne Park Road Suite 205, Mississauga (905) 891-0024 www.csnn.ca LEARN THE Medicine of the Future An outstanding program! I gained control of my own health and am now able to teach others. PH-Class 2003 REGISTER NOW FOR MARCH DAY & EVENING CLASSES Registered Holistic Nutritionist ( R.H.N. ) Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner ( IONC ) DIPLOMA PROGRAM 4HEALTH CARE - Friday , January 25, 2008 Influenza (flu) is now in the Halton community. Each year the influenza season typically lasts from November to April. It is not too late to receive your annual influenza immunization and to take precautions to help prevent the spread of illness. Last year, the number of influenza cases in our community was highest in late February and in early March. The last cases occurred in the first week of April. Influenza is caused by a virus which affects the lungs and is characterized by the sudden onset of symptoms including high fever, headache, general aches and pains, fatigue and cough. Influenza can last for three to seven days, although the tiredness and cough can last for several weeks. For some people, influenza can lead to pneu- monia, hospitalization and even death. Persons 65 years of age and older, preg- nant women, children under the age of two, and persons of any age with certain underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung problems are at higher risk of these complications. The influenza virus spreads when a per- son with influenza coughs or sneezes into the air. Small droplets containing the virus travel through the air for short distances and then fall onto surfaces nearby. You can get infected by breathing in these droplets or by the droplets falling directly on your eyes, nose or mouth. Also, you can infect yourself by touching the unwashed hands of a person with influen- za, or a surface contaminated with the influenza virus, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can survive for up to 48 hours on hard surfaces. To help avoid getting sick and to reduce the spread of illness take the fol- lowing precautions: Get an annual influenza immuniza- tion. It will reduce your risk of illness by 70 to 90 per cent. You cannot get influen- za from the vaccine because it does not contain live virus. Vaccinate all family members who are six months of age or older. Children under nine years of age require two doses of vaccine given four weeks apart if they have never been immu- nized against influenza or have previously received only one dose of vaccine. Avoid people who are sick. Stay at home if you are not feeling well. Sneeze or cough into a tissue and throw it immediately into the garbage. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve. Wash your hands well and often with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 sec- onds. Use alcohol-based sanitizers if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often carried on your hands. Clean hard surfaces that are handled regularly. Its not too late to get your influenza immunization. All persons six months of age and older, including children under nine years of age who require a second dose, are invited to attend a clinic offered by the Halton Region Health Department or to see their family doctors. Health Notes is prepared by staff of the Halton Region Health Department. Health Notes Help reduce the spread of flu