If you are planning to travel overseas, then getting the flu vaccination from a travel clinic in Montreal will be an important thing to do. Let us see why.
Why a flu vaccine from a travel clinic in Montreal is a necessity for travelers?
Greater Risk
The flu is a very common travel disease, but it is also easily preventable when the right vaccine is taken. Thus, it is important to visit a travel clinic in Montreal and take the vaccine before you travel, irrespective of whether you are going to a developing or developed country.
It is worth mentioning that the flu circulates throughout the year in tropical regions and as such, you are susceptible to catching the flu whenever you travel to these regions.
Contagious Infection
You can easily get the flu infection when someone already suffering from it sneezes or coughs.
Furthermore, the flu virus is able to survive for almost 24-hours on different hard surfaces, such as the ones at airport terminals, airport cabins, buses and taxis, and similar other crowded places during your travel.
Higher Vulnerability
Elderly, infants, people suffering from chronic disease, and those facing immunosuppressive disorders are considered vulnerable groups. If infected by the flu virus, the condition becomes severe for these people.
In addition, kids younger than 6 months cannot be vaccinated due to their young age, usually have a higher susceptibility and when infected such cases are more severe.
Spoil Travel Plans
The flu is a lot more than just a bad cold and it will not be healed by taking paracetamols. Recovery from the flu takes almost 2 weeks, spoiling your travel plans and stop you from enjoying your holidays.
Important Details About Flu and Flu Vaccine
If you become sick even after taking a flu shot in Montreal, then it could be due to the fact that you were exposed to the flu virus prior to getting the vaccine. Additionally, it could be that you got infected by the flu virus in the fourteen-day time period that the vaccine takes to achieve its peak strength.
Another reason could be that you are infected by a strain that has not been added to the vaccine.
Side Effects to the Flu Vaccination Taken from a Travel Clinic in Montreal
Common side effects of the flu vaccine include malaise, mild fever, and muscle aches occurring in about one to ten percent of people who take the vaccine. However, these are mild symptoms and are usually resolved in one or two days. Similarly, other issues such as swelling and soreness at the site of injection occur for about one in ten people.
But, it is worth mentioning here that in some rare situations, children below age of five can face febrile convulsions.
More About Flu
Flu Symptoms
Normally, people infected by the flu virus face mild illness. But, it is also possible that some people will become very sick due to the flu.
Regarding symptoms, they start appearing within one to four days after a person is exposed to the flu virus. The common symptoms that you will notice include:
- Muscle pain and aches
- Cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Appetite loss
- Tiredness
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sore throat
Children and some other people may have other symptoms such as:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Diarrhea
For children, you need to keep a watch for some other symptoms such as:
- Child is feeling irritable and not playing or allowing you to hold him or her.
- Not interacting or waking up.
- Not eating or drinking as the child normally does.
What is the contagious period?
If you are infected by the flu then you will be spreading the same to others:
- You will start spreading the flu virus from day one, even before the first symptom is noticed.
- You will be spreading the virus until about five days after the first symptom surfaces.
What to do if I get flu?
If you get the flu then the best thing to do will be to stay at home, and stay away from close contact with others till the time you recover. Normally, you will be able to recover from the flu within seven to ten days.
In the case, you are someone who is at a higher risk of developing flu symptoms and complications related to the flu, then it will be necessary for you to immediately get in touch with your health care provider so that the right steps can be taken.
When does it become necessary to get immediate attention?
You should seek immediate medical attention if the following symptoms are noticed:
- Pain in chest
- Difficulty in breathing, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath
- Colored or bloody spit/mucus
- Low blood pressure
- Grey or bluish skin color
- Persistent or severe vomiting
- Sudden confusion or dizziness
- High fever that lasts for 3 or more days
What are the possible complications that you need to be wary of?
Some of the likely complications that you should remain aware of are:
- Deterioration of chronic health problems you have
- Respiratory failure or pneumonia
Course of Treatment
Treatment of symptoms of flu would involve:
- Taking proper rest
- Drinking enough fluids such as water
- Using medication for reducing aches and fever
It is also possible that health care practitioner will be prescribing medication to you in case you are:
- Feeling very sick and there are severe symptoms
- At higher risk of developing flu associated complications
It will be important here to keep note of the fact that over the counter (OTC) flu and cough medication should not be used for kids who are younger than six. However, you can do so if it is advised by a medical practitioner.
To summarize we can say that the flu can result in severe problems and complications. Thus, the best thing to do is to visit a travel clinic Montreal and get the flu vaccine to be sure you will not have to cancel your trip or stay in bed while you are on a trip to some other country.