Students

​​​Flu awareness and prevention 

The Peel District School Board, in partnership with Peel Public Health, Trillium Health Partners and William Osler Health System wants to ensure staff, students and families stay as healthy as possible. Below are some resources that have been provided by these community partners to help reduce the risk of catching the flu.

Peel Public Health shares tips to help prevent the flu amidst a pandemic 

It's flu season and we want to make sure students stay as healthy as possible. Getting the flu shot this year is more important than ever, in order to reduce the chance of having an illness that can be confused for COVID-19. Influenza (flu) spreads easily from one person to another and Peel Public Health has some tips to help reduce the risk of catching the flu and spreading it.

 

Get your annual flu shot: The flu shot is your best defense against the flu. The flu virus changes frequently so you need to get the vaccine every Fall. There are many locations across Peel where you can get your flu shots by appointment only:

  • Family Doctors' offices
  • Walk-in clinics
  • Pharmacies​

Remember to physically distance and wear a mask at the clinic to help protect yourself and others.

 

Be sure to contact your healthcare provider to book an appointment, as walk-ins are not accepted due to COVID-19 safety measures.

 

Keep children home when they're sick: If your child develops flu-like signs and symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school. Contact your health care provider if symptoms are severe.

Practice good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throw tissues in the trash. Cough or sneeze into a sleeve or elbow, if they don't have a tissue. They should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread.

Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze.

 

For more information, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu. 


​

COVID-19, Cold and Flu Clinic 

People with cold, flu and possi​ble COVID-19 symptoms can get tested for COVID-19 and see a doctor at William Osler Health's COVID-19, Cold and Flu Clinic​. This clinic is different from a Testing Centre because no appointment is necessary and you are assessed by a doctor.

 

Visit Osler Health's COVID-19, Cold and Flu Clinic at Peel Memorial to get tested for COVID-19 if you meet the criteria and see a doctor if you have symptoms. No appointment needed!





​What to do if you get the flu
Trillium Health Partners shares the following tips for what to do if you get the flu. Be sure to:
  • stay home and get plenty of rest
  • drink lots of fluids
  • avoid caffeine
  • speak to your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist about over-the-counter medications that can help you feel better (such as basic pain or fever relievers), but do not give acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®) to anyone under 18 years old
  • treat muscle pain using a hot water bottle or heating pad – apply heat for short periods of time
  • take a warm bath
  • gargle with a glass of warm salt water or suck on hard candy or lozenges
  • use spray or saline drops for a stuffy nose
  • avoid alcohol and tobacco
Call your doctor or nurse practitioner if:
  • you don't start to feel better after a few days
  • your symptoms get worse
  • you are in a high-risk group and develop flu symptoms
You can also call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 to talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need to provide your OHIP number and all information is confidential.

To learn more, visit canada.ca/flu 

​​