Humber offers students flu shots to combat annual illnesses

It isn’t uncommon for people to get sick this time of year as the weather dips and then rises closer to spring.  As germs spread from person-to-person it’s hard to ignore the sniffles and coughs that come with cold and flu season, which is why it is important students know what resources are available to ensure prevention.

According to Ontario.ca, symptoms typically appear 1 to 4 days after exposure to a virus but even without symptoms the virus can still spread. Though the occurrence of fevers are more rare than the common cold, symptoms tend to get mixed up.

In Canada, influenza — more commonly referred to as the ‘flu’ — occurs between the months of Nov. to April.  Due to its annual nature, specific strains of the illness vary each year causing health care experts to create new vaccines every year to maximize effectiveness.

Humber offers flu shots and vaccines at the Health and Wellness center along with hand washing posters in every washroom to protect students from contracting illness.  Colleges are also obligated to adhere to the Ontario Health & Safety Guidelines that protect student and faculty well being.

Marketing management student Manpreet Singh had a positive experience getting a flu shot at Humber. “The nurse was really nice and the procedure was quick. I think it’s good that Humber offers walk-in vaccines because it is easy for everyone to get done.”

Humber College’s wellness site reminds students that “Health & Counselling services at Humber are confidential and available to all registered students. Our goal is to promote student success by providing care that supports well-being. The vaccination requirements varies from student to student and this will also impact each student’s vaccination costs.”

According to the Public Health of Canada’s 2017/18 Review of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Coverage, the risk of hospitalization due to influenza infection is greatest in very young children and elderly people. Whereas most otherwise-healthy people will recover within 7 to 10 days.

For more information visit, https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases.html