Residents

Every person can reduce the impact of an influenza pandemic for themselves, their family, and their friends.

What are the 3 most important things YOU can do to prevent the spread of colds, flu or an influenza pandemic?

1. Clean your hands before eating, and after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Cough into your upper arm or tissue, NOT IN YOUR HANDS!
3. Get your flu shot every year.

As an added benefit, these three things also help stop the spread of annual colds and flu viruses.

WHY clean your hands?

Cold and influenza viruses are spread by DROPLETS that spray out when someone coughs or sneezes. The most common ways for droplets to spread are:

DIRECTLY – if someone coughs or sneezes on you
or
FROM YOUR HANDS. Viruses live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours. After touching a surface where virus-filled droplets have landed - like doorknobs, handrails or tabletops – the virus can pass from your hand to your mouth while eating.

WHICH is the best way to clean hands:

Soap and Water or Alcohol-based hand Sanitizer?

Both work. You need to lather your hands with soap for 15 seconds, then rinse. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is just as effective – it kills over 99% of viruses.

HOW best to “cover a cough”?

With your upper arm – to avoid using your hand, as hands spread diseases.
With a tissue - which is then promptly thrown out so those droplets don’t have a chance to spread.
With a surgical mask – you may be asked to wear a surgical mask when you visit a doctor’s office with a cough and fever to stop droplets at their source.
Doing it in Your Sleeve

WHEN you get the flu shot, does it weaken or strengthen your immune system?

The flu shot strengthens your immune system by helping your body make antibodies that can fight off the flu virus. Antibodies are specific, so the vaccine will not help to fight off all cold and flu viruses, but it will protect you against specific influenza viruses.

Residents can volunteer to assist with community support activities during an influenza pandemic through the Volunteer Hotline 613-580-2624 or e-mail at volunteer@ottawa.ca

To speak with a Public Health Nurse call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or contact healthsante@ottawa.ca to request a copy of this fact sheet or copies of the Pandemic passport.