Haldimand-Norfolk’s acting medical officer of health is urgent residents to get their flu shot as soon as possible.
“The hospital system in Ontario is currently overwhelmed with patients seeking care for influenza and other respiratory viruses,” Dr. Matthew Strauss said Thursday. “There is strong evidence that influenza vaccination can prevent trips to the ER (emergency room) for flu.
“I strongly recommend that you get your flu shot ASAP on this basis, particularly if you are in a high risk group.”
Flu shots are available through local pharmacies and health care providers. Children six months to two years can only get their flu shot from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Those in the high-risk group for complications and hospitalization because of the flu include: babies and children under five; people 65 and older; people who are pregnant; people with underlying health conditions and residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit on Thursday said it has received a significant number of positive lab results related to influenza in recent weeks.
The health unit has received notification of 141 lab-confirmed flu cases in Haldimand or Norfolk residents between Oct. 11 and Nov. 29. During the same period of the 2019-2020 flu season there was just one confirmed case in Haldimand or Norfolk.
The flu is a virus that affects the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. Although some who get the flu will not have any symptoms or suffer mild illness, others, especially the elderly or young children, can become seriously ill from the flu.
The virus spreads by droplets from coughs or sneezes from someone who is sick with the flu. As well, it can spread if someone touches surfaces where these droplets have landed and then they touch their mouth, nose or eyes.
Steps to protect yourself from the flu include getting vaccinated each year. Other measures including staying home and way from others if you feel sick, improving ventilation in indoor and shared spaces and frequent hand-washing with soap, water or hand sanitizer.
Washing your hands before touching your eyes, nose or mouth is also beneficial.
The health unit also recommends cleaning and disinfecting frequently touches surfaces and objects.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
Meanwhile, anyone with symptoms of a respiratory illness should stay home until the fever subsides and symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours and 48 hours if you have had nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Those with symptoms should not be visiting people in hospitals, retirement, long-term care homes or any facilities that include people at higher risk of illness. Those experiencing severe or worsening symptoms or in a high-risk group should seek medical attention.
For more information about the influenza virus and the flu shot, visit www.hnhu.org/ .
twitter.com/EXPVBall