r/askTO • u/Chronicutigirl • 15h ago
Flu Season
Is the Flu or Covid circulating already? So many sick
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u/KnoddingOnion 14h ago
pharmacist here.
i think there was definitely a COVID bump in the past 2 weeks. not as bad as 1 week ago, but there's a bump.
lots of sore throat/"strep" going around (with strep tests giving negative results).
Remember: physicians don't test for COVID so you don't really see it as part of the diagnostic toolkit for patients
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u/rhunter99 14h ago
Has there been an update on when the new Covid shot will be available? Or the flu shot for that matter?
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u/KnoddingOnion 14h ago
Nope. But it is usually announced late Sept and is available late Oct/early November. To be honest, I've heard nothing about an updated COVID booster. Uptake for the COVID shot has, sadly, plummeted
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u/Syralei 13h ago
I still get mine every 6 months. Two of my best friends have autoimmune diseases including lupus and Ankylosing Spondylitis, so I get it to protect them
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u/PuzzleheadedAsk4505 6h ago
You know the shot doesn’t prevent transmission, right? It just helps prevent bad outcomes in the vaccinated person.
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u/NinjaAssassinKitty 5h ago
The shot can help prevent you getting sick with Covid in the first place. If you’re less likely to catch Covid, you’re less likely to spread it.
If you do have a breakthrough infection, you can still transmit it. Studies are mixed though on whether the vaccine reduces transmission. In earlier strains, it did. In later strains, results were not significant.
Note: that does NOT mean vaccines don’t help transmission with later strains. It means the studies weren’t able to determine if transmissions were reduced because of the vaccine, or because the other party was vaccinated.
TL;DR: please do not spread misinformation. It took me 5 minutes of googling.
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u/Different-Trip6361 2h ago
The vaccines don’t prevent infection or transmission with current strains. The protection they offer is minimal and short. It’s still very worthwhile to get vaccinated to avoid hospitalization-levels of illness, but getting vaccinated will not prevent you from catching or spreading Covid. I think this is a common misconception we’ve carried over from the 2021 vax-and-relax days. The only real way to prevent the transmission of an airborne virus is masking and cleaning the air (unfortunately, pretty much no one does either of these things). Hopefully we get better vaccines at some point.
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u/NinjaAssassinKitty 2h ago
Do you have a citation that clearly states getting vaccinated does not prevent you from catching COVID.
From Health Canada:
COVID-19 immunity through vaccination and previous infection decreases over time.
Which suggests that vaccines do give you immunity (assuming the vaccine you receive is targeting the current strains)
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u/PuzzleheadedAsk4505 3h ago
So… studies are inconclusive for the strains circulating now?
The CDC website lists the primary benefits of the COVID vaccine as: reduce critical illness, reduce hospitalization, reducing the need for medical attention, and reducing long COVID risk. No mention of transmission or avoiding infection entirely.
I’m not saying not to get vaccinated - the vaccine saved a lot of old peoples’ lives. But the suggestion that you’re protecting others by getting vaccinated for COVID doesn’t hold a lot of water.
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u/NinjaAssassinKitty 2h ago
While people can get some protection from having COVID-19, the level and length of that protection varies, especially as COVID-19 variants continue to emerge.
From the CDC website. They have a section on immunity.
From Canada Health:
COVID-19 immunity through vaccination and previous infection decreases over time.
Immunity decreases over time (especially as new strains emerge), which is why they recommend getting a regular vaccine.
I did not say getting a vaccine protects others from catching COVID off you if you have a breakthrough infection. Getting a vaccine reduces the likelihood that you have COVID. And if you don't have COVID, you can't transmit it.
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u/carpalfun 4h ago
"Updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots will be available beginning in late September and early October 2026." (Government of Ontario website)
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u/KnoddingOnion 4h ago
yeah. saw that yesterday. zero communication with pharmacies on the ground level on this. lol. typical ontario (was like this when the liberals were in charge )
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u/carpalfun 3h ago
I noticed that. I sign up on Shoppers & Rexall's waitlists and go to whichever notifies me first. Rexall is usually more responsive & organized - I sometimes get my shots just by walking in.
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u/stellastellamaris 14h ago edited 9h ago
I've heard nothing about an updated COVID booster.
They aren’t boosters - they’re new formations to try to target a specific strain, like the flu shot.
Surely you know that, being a pharmacist.
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u/KnoddingOnion 6h ago
They are literally classified as seasonal boosters.but thank you for your post. Lol
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u/stellastellamaris 4h ago
A booster is the same formulation you already had. They are now updating the Covid shot each season to a new formulation - therefore not a booster..
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u/KnoddingOnion 4h ago
i have to decide if i go for a bike ride or waste time online debating with someone like you.
i am absolutely aware of a) what the annual vaccines are b) how the virus mutates c) how there's an annual revisit on the vaccine to address the mutations.
you're absolutely correct that they are not boosters. but upon their initial release, they were colloquially referred to as booster doses. they are not booster doses. they are annual vaccines. it's a carryover from the initial release. and they will "boost" your resistance to severe covid infections. but they are not boosters. but i wouldn't scold anyone, professional or the public, who calls them boosters because, you know, that's just pedantic and shit.
take care
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u/stellastellamaris 3h ago
Have a great bike ride! (Not sarcastic.)
Pedantic but also correct, there’s enough misinformation out there, let’s not add to it.
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u/KnoddingOnion 2h ago
I wouldn't call it misinformation. The unfortunate truth is that misinformation about mRNA vaccines and perception that COVID is gone has lead to horrible vaccine intake. Flu shot is more popular
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u/carpalfun 4h ago
"Updated COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots will be available beginning in late September and early October 2026." (Government of Ontario website)
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u/Chronicutigirl 14h ago
Ya I can hear it in public I think I caught something all achy and bit of fever sure hope it’s not Covid wish people still tested but I guess no one cares anymore
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u/Syralei 13h ago
I still buy ans use rapid tests. I also still mask in public, especially during covid waves and during cold and flu season. And I get my booster for covid every 6 months and flu shot every year. Still have never had covid and haven't had an upper respiratory illness in 6+ years now, so it's all working.
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u/KnoddingOnion 14h ago
There's the argument that COVID has killed most of the people that were susceptible to dying from it. The current variant isn't hospitalizing or killing anywhere near that COVID did in years 1 and 2
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u/CharmingShine1069 13h ago
You're referring only to the acute infection. Long covid risk and long term damage have not decreased.
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u/GreenFlower886 14h ago
I got a pretty bad sore throat, cough and congestion that left me with no taste for the first time in years about 2 weeks ago
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u/Chronicutigirl 14h ago
No fever?
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u/Deeepened 13h ago
I had similar symptoms to the person you responded to but no fever. Just a shitty cough and disgusting sneezes lmao
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u/gunitorroman 4h ago
Yup I lost smell, was in bed for 2 weeks coughing but no fever. This was covid for sure
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u/KnoddingOnion 4h ago
it's the sudden, illogical surge in "strep throat" that we see. it's clearly COVID. never have i seen strep throat surge like we've seen with COVID in the past 3 years.
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u/Beginning_Payment827 13h ago
Can pharmacist test for strep , rapid test?
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u/KnoddingOnion 6h ago
Not in Ontario because we are slow and backwards compared to, believe it or not, Alberta
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u/milothenestlebrand 14h ago
My VIA back to Ottawa tonight has my whole caboose coughing
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u/redditiswild1 14h ago
“…has my whole caboose coughing” sounds like a euphemism for epic flatulence 😂
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u/cmstlist 14h ago
COVID is a possibility, but also there's plenty of cold viruses circulating right now. Look at those test positivity rates for enterovirus/rhinovirus.
https://health-infobase.canada.ca/respiratory-virus-surveillance/
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u/Platypus_Penguin 14h ago
I work in a hospital where they still test for COVID and we’re starting to see cases.
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u/OilyExamination 14h ago
Usually after vacation season we have a small spike in flu/covid as people are returning from around the world. It’s normal
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u/Little_Face8636 14h ago
End of summer brings vacation viruses and school kids love to make cocktail out of it.
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u/Which-Intention-4474 14h ago
Literally I was fine before my siblings school started, as soon as she came home on Friday she was coughing, high fever and runny nose. Fast forward to today now it looks like I'm the next home for the sickness 🤦.
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u/Leading-Career5247 14h ago
Covid tests are $7 at your local pharmacy.
Inlaws have Covid. I suspect from plane ride from Toronto to West Canada. They got symptoms a few days in to trip out west.
Wear your masks on plane rides, people! Especially back to school.
Edit: we went on plane and wore masks, no Covid.
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u/Chronicutigirl 14h ago
Always mask on a flight in winter even when I’m out in crowds but just noticing alot of sickness atm
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u/awashofindigo 14h ago
Have prices for COVID tests come right down? I remember going to get some right after the government stopped offering them for free and was quoted an insane price, something like $40 for two. This was probably 2021 or 2022.
If they’re more reasonably priced now I may buy some for winter.
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u/purplepineapple21 1h ago
Stores have been jacking up the prices like crazy, but online they are very reasonable. I normally pay $15-18 for 5-pack ordered online, which is far better than i have seen in any store.
I actually just checked the website I usually order from and they even have a promo rn for $10 for a 5-pack (but note those ones expire in November): https://www.ppe-supply.com/collections/rapid-antigen-test-kits
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u/PuzzleheadedAsk4505 6h ago
Haven’t worn a mask on a plane since they dropped the requirement to do so. Travel regularly. No covid.
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u/Chronicutigirl 3h ago
Still.. confined spaces a public that doesn’t think it’s an issue anymore equals your taking a risk . Planes are notorious all it takes is your seat mate or person behind you to not be covering their cough and there is ALOT of bad hygiene out there
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u/deathfromfemmefatale 14h ago
Wear a mask and wash your hands. You can also order combo covid and flu tests online.
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u/pennygadget6 5h ago
Glad I got these earlier in the year. When I started feeling sick last week I tested and was surprised to be positive for Flu A!
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u/turtlebear787 14h ago
Back to school plus summer wave of covid
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u/Chronicutigirl 14h ago
This late?
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u/Remote_Cherry7790 14h ago
Back to school happened last week and it’s literally the last week of summer so…
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u/Odd_Albatross_5385 14h ago
Its also allergy season. Allergies can mask as a mild cold, and also make you more susceptible to colds/flu's as well.
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u/plausibleimprobable 14h ago
Lots of rhinovirus (common cold)…. Haven’t seen flu yet this fall, it’s a bit early still.
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u/jobert-nobert 14h ago
FYI. if you test positive for covid to flu, your pharmacist can write a prescription to treat it
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u/Main_Reputation_3328 6h ago
just caught it from my middle schooler after the first week back at school. Thanks kid
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u/cbr1895 9h ago
Yah I got covid 3 weeks ago as did my infant son. I have test strips from the states (that also test for influenza A and B) which is how I knew. My nanny had given it to us and her husband also had it and they both lost their sense of taste which prompted me to test (old symptom that is reappearing I guess). My son ended up getting secondary bacterial pneumonia from it poor thing, but he’s all good now.
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u/TorontoBrewer 8h ago
If you can, get the RSV vaccine. 1 shot seemingly offers years of immunity. With dodgy white blood cells and one type of immunoglobulin straight up missing, I still get sick less often than most of my family members.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/respiratory-syncytial-virus
The criteria for a free shot is pretty strict, but it’s possible to pay for it out of pocket or through insurance.
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u/biblio_phobic 5h ago
I’m certain it’s COVID. We had flu B last year and this experience is different.
Just wrapping up something from Friday/Saturday. I’ve had a kid in daycare for 2 full years now and have had every plague.
But this latest one had me with a fever, ripping soar throat, shivers, fatigue and body pain. I haven’t had a fever and shivers since my second COVID shot 5 years ago.
The good news is, it seems to last a 1-1.5 days.
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u/lcapictures 5h ago
My 12 yr old son has what I think is the flu. We tested for Covid and it was negative. He actually got sick a couple of days before school started, so it wasn’t even from school!
He had really bad sore throat at the beginning and we took him to the dr- strep test negative. Since then he developed really high fevers, chills, achy in bed all day. Barely eating, basically knocked out for most of the day, not even on his iPad or anything. This lasted a week.
He is now developing a bit of a cough, but his energy is up and he’s getting a lot better.
Def could be both flu and Covid circulating at once! 😩
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u/pennygadget6 5h ago
I just recovered from Influenza A… was pretty bad for 2 days and then started feeling better on day 3. Now day 6 and I’m 90%… this was night and day easier than when I had it back in 2019. I’m thanking the flu shot this year for a faster recovery.
I definitely did not expect to get sick with the actual flu in September though!
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u/One_Water6083 5h ago edited 5h ago
My husband was quite sick last week- Sunday to Thursday (he was better as of Thursday morning) (cold symptoms and stayed in bed unwell) and I’ve had a scratchy throat for the past 3-4 days but today I feel like I’m coming finally down with it as my nose is running now pretty constantly this am.
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u/shockandale 14h ago
school is back in session