Tis the season to share with family and friends, mirth, merriement and influenza.
Thats why Interior Health reminds you that it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
Medical Health Officer with Interior Health, Dr Kamran Golmohammadi explains how long it takes for the virus to spread from one person to another.
“ The highest rate of transmission of influenza is 24 hours prior to the appearing of symptoms and at least 48 hours after symptoms but some people can spread the virus for a longer period.”
Influenza symptoms often include sudden high fever, headache, general body aches and pains, fatigue and weakness, runny, stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat.
In addition to getting a flu shot Dr Golmohammadi stresses that proper hand washing and covering noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing are also important ways to prevent the spread of influenza and many other infections.
He advises that people experiencing influenza symptoms should stay home from work, school and holiday gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading infection to others.
In BC the majority of influenza cases occur between December to April, with the peak of activity typically occurring in January.