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COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available for high-risk individuals and priority populations by mid-early October and for everyone six months of age and older starting October 26, 2026.
Influenza, also known as the flu, is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. It spreads easily from person to person during the fall and winter season each year.
The flu usually spreads through droplets in the air when a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks to someone within two metres of them. Some respiratory viruses, including the flu, can spread through very small droplets called aerosols. These can stay in the air for longer periods of time. Less commonly, a person may also get the flu when they touch a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touch their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
After a person is infected with the flu virus, it can take from one to four days before they start to feel sick. People with the flu can spread the virus to others starting one day before their symptoms begin until about five days after they become sick. Children and people with weak immune systems may spread the virus for a longer period of time.
Most people will recover within a week to 10 days. Some people are at greater risk of complications, such as pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes. Each year in Canada, about 12,200 people are hospitalized and 3,500 die due to flu and its complications.
Those at high risk of flu-related complications or hospitalization include:
It can be hard to tell the difference between flu symptoms and other respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Common symptoms include:
Other common symptoms may include:
Some people (especially children) may also have:
The flu vaccine (flu shot) is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. Getting the flu vaccine each year is the best way to protect yourself from serious illness and help prevent the flu. Even if you had the flu before, it’s important to get the flu vaccine every fall. Protection from previous vaccines or infections can decrease over time, and the vaccine is updated each year to try to match the new strains expected to spread.
While vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and others, there are more steps we can all take to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Using layers of protection will help protect you, your loved ones and people who are more likely to get very sick, such as young children and older adults.
It can be difficult to tell the flu from other respiratory viruses as the symptoms are similar. If a health care provider needs to know if you are sick with the flu, they can test for it by swabbing the inside of your nose with a swab and send it to a lab.
Most healthy people who get the flu will not need medical treatment. In some cases, a health care provider may prescribe specific medication called antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs are prescription drugs that may be used to lessen symptoms and prevent complications. Antiviral drugs are usually used early to treat hospitalized patients, people with severe flu illness, and people who are at higher risk for complications.
Some people who are at higher risk of complications of the flu are eligible for flu treatment . Antiviral medication can also be used in places like long-term care homes if there is a flu (influenza) outbreak to control the spread and stop the outbreak.
Seek medical care if your symptoms feel worse than a common cold by calling your health care provider or 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007). If your symptoms are severe, get medical attention right away.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus/flu, you can:
Seek medical attention if you need it. Tell the health care provider about your symptoms ahead of time and wear a well-fitting mask when you go out if you’re able to.
See the Ontario College of Family Physicians Tips on caring for children with respiratory symptoms, including how to help support your sick child at home and when to call a health care provider.
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