Want to avoid catching the flu but don’t like the needles?

Here are some things that you could consider.

I know there are people, like me, who just absolutely hate needles. Does that mean you need to hibernate during the winter months to avoid catching the flu? Well, there are some less extreme options that you could consider.

First of all, the flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. The flu shot helps strengthen your body's natural immune response against the flu by stimulating your immune system to build antibodies against the flu virus. If you can tolerate needles, this is the best way to protect yourself.

If you don’t want to take the flu shot, there is a nasal spray flu vaccine called FluMist.

Unlike the flu shot, there are no needles involved with FluMist. FluMist flu vaccine is appealing, especially to children, who gets scared by the sight of needles.

FluMist is not covered by OHIP, it costs about $25-30 CDN depending on the dispensing fee of your pharmacy.

There are also other things that you could do to avoid catching the flu.

 

1. Wash your hands with soap and water OR use a hand sanitizer.

 

Do this before and after every meal, after taking public transit and at regular intervals throughout the day. Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (gel or wipes) handy at work, home and in your car. Remember, a hand sanitizer needs to be at least 60% alcohol to be effective. (Purell hand sanitizer only $1.49 +HST per bottle 59ml @ Custom Care Pharmacy) 

2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throw the tissue out. (Kleenex Go Pack 3-ply tissues only $0.50+HST @ Custom Care Pharmacy)

 

3. If you or your family members are coughing or sneezing, consider putting on a mask to avoid spreading the germs to others. (N-95 Surgical masks 10 for $3.99 @ Custom Care Pharmacy)

 

4. Take a Zinc supplement

Studies have shown that zinc can reduce colds because of its ability to stop the cold virus (rhinovirus) from reproducing and causing an infection. When taken within the first 24 hours of symptoms,  zinc appeared to shorten the duration of a cold by about a day. It has also been shown that patients taking zinc had less severe symptoms compared to those taking a placebo. (Zinc lozenges, 30 for $4.69+HST @ Custom Care Pharmacy)  (Zinc 25mg tab 100 for $6.49 @ Custom Care Pharmacy)  

 

 

Make sure you have a digital thermometer at home. (Oral digital thermometer $8.19 @ Custom Care Pharmacy) (Ear digital thermometer $38.29 @ Custom Care Pharmacy) If you have a fever in addition to cold or flu symptoms, you should consider visiting your physician for an assessment.