Click on the following links to learn more (information from the Ontario Ministry of Health):
If you or someone in your home has the flu (click here for symptoms), there are some things you can do to make yourself feel better and avoid spreading the virus to others.
Stay home and get plenty of rest.
Clean your hands regulary with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (more than 60% alcohol), especially after coughing or blowing your nose. Keep commonly used surfaces clean and disinfected by using a household cleaner; these surfaces include door handles, light switches, telephones and keyboards.
If you do not start to feel better after a few days or if your symptoms get worse, you should either call your health care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
To ease the symptoms of flu :
- drink lots of fluids
- avoid drinks with caffeine
- take basic pain or fever relievers
- do not give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®) to children or teenagers under the age of 18
- apply heat for short periods of time using a hot water bottle or heating pad to reduce muscle pain
- take a warm bath
- gargle with a glass of warm water or suck on hard candy or lozenges
- use saline drops or spray for a stuffy nose
- avoid alcohol and tobacco
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If your child is suffering from the flu, you should seek medical care immediately if their symptoms improve and then suddenly become worse. It's also important to get medical care for your child if you notice any of the following signs:
- fast or difficult breathing
- bluish or dark-coloured lips or skin
drowsiness to the point where he or she cannot be easily wakened
- severe crankiness or not wanting to be held
- dehydration – not drinking enough fluids and not going to the bathroom regularly
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