Your Health This Fall

Learn what you can do to stay safe and healthy during the fall season.

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Fall is here, which may mean new routines and different health and safety concerns.

Fall means cooler weather, shorter days, the start of cold and flu season and a return to school for kids. With less hours of daylight, many of us may get less physical activity. The beginning of fall also signals the start of cold and flu season. Our children are back in school or daycare, which can mean new activities and greater exposure to germs.

Learn how to stay safe, eat well and take care of your health as the season changes.

Featured Topics

Back to School

For information about how to help your child stay safe and learn healthy lifestyle habits this school year, visit our Back To School health feature.

Find resources for K-12 Schools about preventing the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19, for students and parents, school staff and school administrators.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a coronavirus. COVID-19 has spread worldwide, including to British Columbia, and has been declared a global pandemic. Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccination and to access coronavirus disease-related resources, see our Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) health feature. For additional information on coronavirus disease, visit BC Centre for Disease Control: COVID-19.

Cold Weather

Learn what you can do to make sure you stay safe as the temperature drops.

Flu Season

The flu is an infection of the upper airway caused by an influenza virus. Each year, there is a time where there are more outbreaks of the flu. This is called flu season. For more information about the flu and flu season, visit our Influenza (Flu) Season health feature.

Healthy Eating

Fall can be a busy season with back-to-school and a change in routine from the summer months. Planning meals and snacks ahead of time can help make a busy schedule more manageable and mealtimes more enjoyable. Including a variety of nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water will support your immune system and help keep you healthy during cold and flu season. Learn about healthy eating this fall.

For additional healthy eating information or advice call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered dietitian or Email a HealthLinkBC Dietitian.

Indoor Air Quality

With shorter daylight hours and colder outdoor temperatures, you will likely be spending more time indoors. Learn about indoor air quality and how to stay safe.

Make sure to test your carbon monoxide detectors regularly, and replace the batteries every 6 months. An easy way to remember is to change the batteries when you set the clock back (in the fall) or forward (in the spring).

Mental Health

Changes in routine, staying indoors more and getting less exercise can affect your mental health. Shorter days, especially when we set the clocks back for daylight saving time, mean getting less sunshine.

Seasonal Allergies

Pollen, molds, dust mites and other allergens can cause fall seasonal allergies. Learn about seasonal allergies, including triggers, symptoms and home treatment.

Stay Active

Don’t let the dark and cold nights keep you from staying active. Physical activity is a key factor in keeping you and your family healthy.

For more physical activity information or advice you can also call 8-1-1 to speak with a qualified exercise professional or Email Physical Activity Services.

When to Take Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and can treat infections such as strep throat or sinus infections. They do not work against illnesses caused by a virus such as the common cold, coronavirus (COVID-19) or the flu. Learn more about when you should and shouldn’t use antibiotics.

For more information about using antibiotics, visit BC Centre for Disease Control: Do Bugs Needs Drugs?

Useful Websites

ImmunizeBC

ImmunizeBC works to improve the health of British Columbians and reduce the number of infections by vaccine-preventable diseases by providing information on immunizations to individuals, families and health care providers. They also provide tools to make it easier for B.C. families to get immunized.