Meet Carla, 58, and Stefan, 56. College sweethearts, family caretakers and obsessive golfers.
Scroll Down
 

Carla, 58, & Stefan, 56

Carla and Stefan live in Halifax. They met at college, more years ago than they care to remember, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Carla is a retired dental hygienist and Stefan is a high school math teacher. They have three grown children and two grandchildren, so far.

Will Carla & Stefan get a flu shot?
Yes No

 

 

OCT 11

 

 

 

The World Health Organization has named the influenza vaccination as the
3rd
most important intervention to achieve healthy ageing, after preventing falls and promoting physical activity.

 

 

 

Carla is mindful about her and Stefan’s health. Getting sick could prevent them from spending time with their family or doing the things they love.

Carla and Stefan don’t feel like the flu shot really makes a difference. They’ve even heard it can make you sick.

Carla and Stefan are happiest when they are surrounded by family. There’s nothing better than having all of the kids, and their kids, home for the weekend or up at the cottage. It’s also nice when Carla’s parents are able to join, but that has become more difficult as they age.

Stefan leaves the school early because he doesn’t feel very well. The next day, he has a cough and a fever. Suddenly Carla’s not feeling so great, either. They got the flu shot, but based on their symptoms, it’s likely they’ve caught influenza A.Neither of them got the flu shot and, after confirming they have influenza, they are very worried that they may have infected one of Carla’s parents or their grandchildren, all of whom are vulnerable.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Did you know: In the 2020-2021 flu season, vaccine uptake in Canada was similar to the 2019-20 season: 32% among adults aged 18 to 64, and 70% among people over 65. Let’s try to get that higher every year!
#protectyourself #protectothers

Nov 3

 

 

 

Precautions against COVID-19 also worked against the flu. In the 2020-2021 flu season, just 73 cases of influenza were reported, significantly lower than the average of 51,942 seen over the previous six years.

 

 

 

Carla and Stefan’s youngest son, Mitch, is studying Criminology at Ryerson University in Toronto. He lives near campus, and they like to visit him whenever they can. He takes them to cool new restaurants and to see live bands. It reminds them of their old college days!

Stefan leaves the school early because he doesn’t feel very well. The next day, he has a cough and a fever. Suddenly Carla’s not feeling so great, either. They got the flu shot, but based on their symptoms, it’s likely they’ve caught influenza A.Neither of them got the flu shot and, after confirming they have influenza, they are very worried that they may have infected one of Carla’s parents or their grandchildren, all of whom are vulnerable.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Flu season in Canada usually starts in late fall. Get your flu shot early!
#influenza #FluFacts #GetVaccinated

NOV 26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Older adults are at higher risk of serious medical events following a flu infection. In the days following infection, adults over 40 are 10X more likely to suffer their first heart attack, and 8X more likely to suffer their first stroke.


 

While Stefan is at school, Carla often goes to her parents’ place to help around the house. They are both in their mid-80s, and her mother is in the early stages of dementia. Carla and Stefan have started the conversation about long-term care, but her parents aren’t always agreeable to that idea.

Stefan leaves the school early because he doesn’t feel very well. The next day, he has a cough and a fever. Suddenly Carla’s not feeling so great, either. They got the flu shot, but based on their symptoms, it’s likely they’ve caught influenza A.Neither of them got the flu shot and, after confirming they have influenza, they are very worried that they may have infected one of Carla’s parents or their grandchildren, all of whom are vulnerable.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Influenza in seniors over 65 can trigger even more serious health issues like heart attacks and strokes. Seniors hospitalized with influenza are often later unable to carry out daily activities like bathing, dressing or eating without assistance.
#HerdImmunity #FluFacts #TheMoreYouKnow

DEC 19

 

 

 

 

Influenza strains can live on the surface of smartphones, keyboards, door handles and other everyday objects for up to 48 hours.


 

Stefan loves acting like a kid whenever he’s with his grandchildren! He and Carla babysit for their daughter pretty regularly, and he can usually be found in the basement with the kids, roaring like a dinosaur or building a pillow fort. They never seem to run out of energy, and somehow neither does he!

Stefan leaves the school early because he doesn’t feel very well. The next day, he has a cough and a fever. Suddenly Carla’s not feeling so great, either. They got the flu shot, but based on their symptoms, it’s likely they’ve caught influenza A.Neither of them got the flu shot and, after confirming they have influenza, they are very worried that they may have infected one of Carla’s parents or their grandchildren, all of whom are vulnerable.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Washing your hands and avoiding touching your face will help prevent spread of the flu. But the best form of protection is the vaccine.
#WeDidIt #BetterMatch #GetVaccinated

JAN 11

 

 

 

They can remain infectious for up to a week after getting the flu.
Children under 5 are also considered high risk for influenza.

 

 

 

 

Stefan has been golfing since he was a teenager. He’s a member of the local golf club and whenever he has free time, he heads to the course. Since retiring, Carla joins him often and has also started to really enjoy the game. They’re thinking of spending some time down south during the winters after Stefan retires, so they can golf all year.

Stefan leaves the school early because he doesn’t feel very well. The next day, he has a cough and a fever. Suddenly Carla’s not feeling so great, either. They got the flu shot, but based on their symptoms, it’s likely they’ve caught influenza A.Neither of them got the flu shot and, after confirming they have influenza, they are very worried that they may have infected one of Carla’s parents or their grandchildren, all of whom are vulnerable.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
Influenza spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing or face-to-face contact. Consider wearing a mask in public settings.
#staysafe #maskup

FEB 3

 

 

 

The flu vaccine can be up to
60%
effective at preventing the flu. It can also lessen symptoms and complications if you do catch the flu virus.

When they aren’t spending time with their family, Carla and Stefan like to host small dinner parties with their friends. It doesn’t happen that often these days, but they try to pull something together every few months or so. Carla does most of the cooking, but Stefan is always willing to help out — and taste test!

Stefan leaves the school early because he doesn’t feel very well. The next day, he has a cough and a fever. Suddenly Carla’s not feeling so great, either. They got the flu shot, but based on their symptoms, it’s likely they’ve caught influenza A.Neither of them got the flu shot and, after confirming they have influenza, they are very worried that they may have infected one of Carla’s parents or their grandchildren, all of whom are vulnerable.

Flu Fighters@HealthECanada
The flu is an unpredictable virus. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends getting a vaccine every year.
#NotAllBugs #AntibioticsWontHelpTheFlu

FEB 26

 

 

 

How often did Carla & Stefan get the flu?
35%
with the flu shot
70%
without the flu shot

The results are updated based on interactions with this choose-your-own-adventure activity and do not reflect medically accurate statistics. Statistics shown throughout the adventure are based on fact. See more on our sources page.

 

Getting the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60%.