McMaster offers flu shots to staff and students

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/FLU Clinic 2006 edited.jpg” caption=”McMaster will offer flu clinics for staff and students from Nov. 27 to Nov. 29.”]People of any age can get the flu. Influenza is a serious, acute respiratory illness that is caused by a virus. A viral illness cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Influenza usually lasts two to seven days, but it can develop into complications. The illness is much worse than a cold and even healthy, young people can become quite sick.

Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, runny eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, extreme weakness and fatigue. You won't feel like doing anything, so you can expect to miss time from work or school while you are ill.

Influenza can often be prevented with an annual flu vaccination. Healthy people should be vaccinated to protect themselves and their families.

The flu is easily spread by respiratory droplets from infected persons through coughing, sneezing or talking. It is also spread through direct contact with surfaces contaminated by the virus such as phones, door handles and unwashed hands.

Students are vulnerable to infection because they spend so much time in close proximity to other students, in class, on the bus, living in residence or other student housing. Employees who work with students are also at risk.

Like any medicine, the influenza vaccine is capable of causing side effects, but most people who get the flu vaccine have no serious problems. The most common side effect is soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine because it does not contain any live virus.

Flu vaccination clinics will be held on campus from Nov. 27 to Nov. 29.

These clinics are provided for all McMaster students and employees only. Your student or employee identification will be required. Family members cannot attend the campus clinics. For a schedule of clinics offered by the City of Hamilton, please click here.

Flu shot clinics will be held at McMaster on the following dates: