Avoiding the flu

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Let’s face it: being sick with the flu is awful. And if you or a family member has other health issues, it can be a serious threat. So the smartest thing you can do this flu season is avoid getting sick—and the best way to avoid the flu is to get the flu shot.

You and the flu: How the flu makes you sick (0:00)

The flu shot helps your body protect itself—here’s how.

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The flu shot
The best way to avoid the flu: get the flu shot.

Getting the flu shot is the most effective way of avoiding the virus because it helps your body build the defenses it needs to fight the flu.


The flu shot
Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.

Even if you are immunized, proper hand cleaning is an important way to guard against and limit the spread of the many illnesses.

Viruses can live on your hands for up to five minutes and they can live on hard surfaces that you touch with your hands – like countertops and telephones – for up to two days. Wash hands for at least 15 seconds or more.

1. Remove jewellery and wet hands and wrists with warm water. 2. Use 1 or 2 squirts of liquid or foam soap. 3. Lather soap and scrub hands well, palm to palm. 4. Scrub in between and around fingers. 5. Scrub back of each hand with palm of other hand. 6. Scrub fingertips of each hand in opposite palm.
7.  Scrub each thumb clasped in opposite hand. 8. Scrub each wrist clasped in opposite hand. 9. Rinse thoroughly under running water. 10. Pat hands dry with paper towel. 11. Turn off water using same paper towel.  

The flu shot
Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (gel or wipes) handy at work, home and in your car. It needs to be at least 60% alcohol to be effective.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are as good as soap and water to clean your hands, unless they are visibly dirty.

Cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub

1. Apply 1 to 2 pumps of product to palms of dry hands. 2. Rub hands together, palm to palm. 3. Rub in between and around fingers. 4. Rub back of each hand with palm of other hand. 5. Rub fingertips of each hand in opposite palm. 6.    Rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand.
7. Rub each wrist clasped in opposite hand. 8. Rub hands until product is dry. Do not use paper towels.        

The flu shot
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue out.

Cough into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.


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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

The flu virus usually enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.


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Avoid large crowds of people where viruses can spread easily.

Stay home when you are sick.



The flu shot Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected.

For More Information
For information about flu

Call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-877-844-1944
TTY 1-800-387-5559
TTY (Toronto) 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm

To speak with a registered nurse

Visit Telehealth Ontario or call 1-866-797-0000
TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Hours of operation : 24 hours, 7 days a week

To find health care options in your community

Visit ontario.ca/healthcareoptions or call 1-866-330-6206.

To find a health care provider

If you don’t have a health care provider, you can register for the Health Care Connect program. Visit ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.