CILT’s Volunteer Vibes Volume 11 Issue 3 Fall 2011 Volunteer Program Update Influenza (Seasonal Flu) and the Influenza Vaccine We’ve had a few changes since our last newsletter. We have had to say goodbye ©www.toronto.ca/health/cdc/factsheets/in to a volunteer, Farah Fatima, who had to fluenza_factsheet.htm leave her volunteer position temporarily, but will hopefully return soon. Crystal Bicknell, a past volunteer, will be What is influenza? returning in the New Year from finishing her post-secondary education. Influenza (the flu), is a virus that comes We have also had two student around each fall (making it seasonal) that volunteers in the past six months who causes fever, chills, muscle aches, volunteered with us to receive their 40 headache, runny nose, cough, weakness hour community service requirement in and tiredness. These symptoms usually secondary school. We would like to thank last from two to seven days. The cough our two students, Alexandra Monteiro and weakness may last for up to six and Florian Birkenhake, who helped us weeks. Elderly persons may have the flu with so many mailings and data entry. We without a fever, and children may have wish them the best in their years of high stomach symptoms such as nausea, school. vomiting and diarrhea. CILT Volunteer Holiday Hours Who is at risk? Everyone is at risk of getting the flu. Although most people will not get The holiday hours for volunteers begin seriously ill, some people may develop on Monday December 19, 2011 to flu-related complications such as lung Tuesday January 3, 2012. We wish you infections (pneumonia), ear infections, all a joyous and happy dehydration (loss of body fluids) and, in holiday season. See you all rare cases, death. People most at risk in the New Year! include: children less than two years of age; people 65 years of age and older; residents of long-term care homes or 2 CILT's Volunteer Vibes chronic-care facilities; people with What is the influenza vaccine and what chronic health conditions such as does it do? diabetes, cancer, lung, heart or kidney disease; pregnant women; aboriginal Each year, the influenza vaccine peoples; and people who are obese. (flu shot) protects against the three types of influenza viruses that are most likely to How is the flu spread? cause the flu that year. The flu shot cannot give you the flu because it does You can get the flu if you are not contain live influenza viruses. The coughed or sneezed on by someone who body needs two weeks to build up has the flu. Touching hands, surfaces or protection against influenza after the shot objects that someone with the flu has is given. Protection lasts four months or touched and then touching your eyes, longer. The flu shot does not protect nose or mouth can all lead to getting the against colds or other illnesses with flu- flu. like symptoms. What can I do to prevent the spread of When should I get the flu shot? the flu? Get the flu shot each fall. Also follow these simple steps to protect As the flu shot takes two weeks to yourself: provide full protection, the earlier you get the vaccine the better. The flu shot is • wash your hands available starting in October. frequently • cover your cough and I got a flu shot last year. Do I have to sneeze with something other than your get it again this year? hands • stay home when you are sick Yes. You should get the flu shot • drink plenty of fluids each fall. The viruses that cause the flu • be physically active change frequently. Protection from last • avoid touching your eyes, nose and year's vaccine has likely worn off. You mouth with unclean hands need to get another shot to be protected • avoid close contact with persons who this year. are sick with the flu • stay well rested Who should get the influenza vaccine? • eat nutritious food Everyone who is six months of age or older should get the flu shot, unless there is a medical reason that prevents you from getting the vaccine. If you are at ©Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Inc. Fall 2011 3 CILT's Volunteer Vibes high risk for flu-related complications or In very rare instances (about one in live or work with people who are at high one million doses of vaccine), the flu shot risk (e.g. healthcare workers and essential has been associated with a temporary community services staff), getting the flu neurological condition causing muscle shot is particularly important. paralysis called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Seek medical attention if you How many doses of the believe that you, or someone in your care, vaccine do I need? has had a reaction to the shot. Adults should receive Who should not get the flu shot? one shot each year. Children between six months and eight years of age who never • People with a severe allergy to eggs or had a seasonal flu shot should receive two any component of the vaccine (e.g., doses the first year they get vaccinated. neomycin, thimerosal) or who had a These two doses should be received at serious allergic reaction to a least one month apart, and they need one previous dose of influenza shot each year after that. vaccine. • Babies younger than six months of What are the side effects of the flu age. shot? • Any person who has had Guillain- Barré Syndrome (GBS) or who has an The flu shot is very safe. The most active neurological disorder should common side effects are soreness or speak with a doctor before getting redness where the shot is given, fever, vaccinated. headache or tiredness and achiness. Side • Most people who have had oculo- effects usually occur one to two days after respiratory syndrome (ORS) can be vaccination. safely re-immunized with the flu shot but should discuss this with a doctor Severe side effects and allergic first. reactions are rare. In past years, a small • Anyone who is ill with a fever should number of people who received the flu delay receiving the flu shot until they shot developed oculo-respiratory feel better. syndrome (ORS). ORS can cause red eyes, cough, chest tightness, difficulty What should I do if I get the flu? breathing, hoarseness, sore throat and swelling of the face. Symptoms occur Get plenty of rest and drink lots of within 24 hours and resolve within 48 fluids. Wash your hands often. Stay at hours. home and away from children, the elderly and anyone with a serious illness until ©Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Inc. Fall 2011 4 CILT's Volunteer Vibes you are feeling better. Ask your doctor organization to stage subsequent events about medication to reduce aches, pain and allocate funds was created. and fever. Also ask about anti-influenza That organization was the drugs that may ease your discomfort and Canadian Foundation for Physically shorten the length of your illness. Disabled Persons (CFPDP), set up in Children should not be given medication 1987 by the The Rotary Club of Toronto - that contains acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Don Valley with Vim Kochhar as aspirin) because it can cause Reye's Founding Chair. Its goal was to assist Syndrome, a sickness that can lead to individuals with physical challenges to brain and liver damage. live fuller lives and raise awareness of their achievements and contributions to Where can I find more information? society. Since then, CFPDP has initiated dozens of important Projects & Events, Talk to your doctor or call Toronto Public raising over $21 million. Health at 416-338-7600. Today, the CFPDP continues to The Canadian Foundation initiate projects that help thousands of physically challenged people across the for Physically Disabled country. "We need to concentrate on Persons (CFPDP): Changing things that really matter like character, the Way Canadians Think About compassion and community," says Kochhar. "Above all, we need to build Disability awareness and keep promoting the © www.cfpdp.com/about/default.html message of inclusion." n 1984, Rotarian Vim Kochhar and The Every I year, CILT Rotary Club of Toronto - Don Valley supports members were asked to help raise funds CFPDP by for the Cheshire Homes Foundation to purchasing a help build housing for the deaf-blind. The table at the Annual Inductee Luncheon, eventual result was the First Annual Great and asking our volunteers to join us. This Valentine Gala which took place in year, five more amazing individuals were February, 1985 in Toronto and raised inducted into the Hall of Fame: Archie $230,000. It was supposed to be a one- Allison, Benoît Huot, Brian and Robin time event, but within two years became McKeever, and Celia Southward. so successful that a separate charitable ©Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Inc. Fall 2011 5 CILT's Volunteer Vibes Archie Allison(Builder): ability of people here and their tremendous desire to get involved and be Archie Allison just active. might be the most popular guy in Toronto’s diverse Variety Village offered them and far-flung disability opportunities that were hard to find in the community. Over the larger community.” Allison specialized in course of almost 30 years accommodation, making participation in as a stalwart in the ranks of the city’s Variety Village programs available to world-renowned Variety Village, everyone who wanted to get involved. An Allison’s unfailing thoughtfulness and early and ardent proponent of the concept cheerful dedication have touched the lives of reverse integration, he worked from the of literally thousands of people, young premise that you make provisions for and old, who live with disability.