Don’t visit your elderly grandmother if you are ill with the flu, warns Dr. Dee Hoyano, Island Health medical health officer.
In the last week, the health authority has seen a spike in influenza cases in Vancouver Island hospitals. Eight cases of influenza have been confirmed and seven patients have been so sick they required treatment in hospital. Two of the cases were so severe that the patients — an adult and a child — were admitted to the intensive care unit.
“December is certainly well within our influenza season. It varies from year to year. And just the fact that we’ve had a spike in cases in the hospitals could be a sign we’re having an earlier season than last year,” Hoyano said.
The good news is that most of the cases confirmed by Island Health laboratories are H1N1 and are a good match to the strain of Influenza A included in this year’s vaccine.
The cases are spread across Vancouver Island, including Greater Victoria, Hoyano said.
“We’re really emphasizing immunization, regular hygiene, lots of hand washing, stay at home if you are sick, get lots of rest and monitor your condition if you are ill. And avoid visiting people who might be at risk,” Hoyano said. “Don’t visit your elderly granny while you’re ill.”
Flu symptoms typically include a sudden onset fever, acute cough, headache, aches and pains, fatigue and weakness.
Most people can manage the symptoms staying at home. Others should go to hospital if they are short of breath or have some underlying medical condition that makes it more difficult to cope at home, she said. Babies with a fever, especially newborns younger than two months, should be checked by a doctor.
It takes five to seven days to recover from the flu, even healthy people, she said.
The arrival of influenza on Vancouver Island is a reminder of why flu shots are important for individuals at high risk of complications, and for health-care workers and visitors to Island Health facilities, said Dr. Richard Stanwick, chief Island Health medical health officer.
Health workers are required to get a flu shot or wear a mask while at work. Unions unsuccessfully fought that stipulation, saying it infringes on personal freedom.
The provincial government began its immunization program in late October with 1.3 million doses of flu vaccine arriving at public health clinics, pharmacies and doctors’ offices.
B.C.’s $8-million immunization program offers the vaccine free of charge to those considered vulnerable and at high risk of serious complications from the flu. That includes the very young and the very old, and people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
Free vaccines are also available to those who come in contact with vulnerable people.
This year, eligible children and youth, ages two to 17, can avoid the needle and inhale a flu vaccine through a nasal spray. The province is paying for 80,000 doses at a cost of $400,000.
The nasal spray is free to children younger than five, and to other children and youth vulnerable to flu complications. That includes First Nations children, chronically ill youth or children who live with people vulnerable to complications.
To find the nearest flu shot clinic, call HealthLink B.C. at 811 or go online to immunizebc.ca/clinics/flu.
Flu prevention
Reduce the risk of getting the flu or spreading it to others by:
• Washing your hands regularly.
• Promptly disposing of used tissues in the garbage.
• Coughing and sneezing into your shirt sleeve rather than your hands.
• Staying home when you are ill.
• Getting an influenza vaccine.
Source: HealthLink B.C.
