The fall weather is upon us and as sure as the leaves change colour and the days get shorter, an annual visitor is just around the corner - Influenza.
This year's flu virus is projected to pack a significant punch, as doctors and nurses in North America use Australia as a barometer for what to expect when the virus makes its way to our side of the globe.
"In Australia they had a tough season and we're gearing up for a tough season," said Karly McGibbon, public health nurse at Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
"The flu virus can mutate, so when the vaccines are put together it is a bit of an educated guess, we are anticipating a good match (with the vaccine) but we never know until the cases start to come in."
On average, Public Health Sudbury and Districts gets about 200 lab-confirmed cases of the flu virus annually, though actual cases of the flu are higher than that number.
"The only place in Sudbury that tests is the hospital, so we know that the majority of people don't need hospitalization," said McGibbon. "We can say that there are 200 people admitted to hospital or seen through the emergency department that required testing. We know that the majority of the people who do become ill with Influenza don't need to go to the hospital."
There have been no confirmed cases of the flu in Greater Sudbury yet this flu season.
Dr. Rob Lepage has worked at Health Sciences North for more than two decades and has spent the last nine years as the medical director and chief of the emergency department. Lepage has seen many flu seasons come and go in the department and says that it is always a challenging time of the year.
"It becomes more challenging because the volumes do increase during flu season," said Lepage.
"Our biggest challenge in the emergency department in Sudbury is that we're chronically overcrowded with inpatients. We have a 36-bed emergency department, (and) we see 200 to 250 patients a day, and on a good day we start with 25 to 27 admissions in the emergency department. On a bad day like some days last winter, we'd have 40 admissions ... if you do the math, you have 36 beds and 40 admissions and you're trying to see 250 outpatients, it makes it challenging."
Health Sciences North will never turn any patient away, and while Lepage says he wouldn't deter anyone from making a hospital visit if they're feeling ill, most people aren't at a serious health risk if they contract the flu virus.
"Public Health will put out the message that if you think you've got the flu, stay away from work, stay away from contact with other people," said Lepage. "What we try to do, is somebody comes in and the nurse in triage suspects that person has influenza, we don't want that person sitting in an area infecting other people. If they're sitting in a waiting room packed with other people, some of whom are already compromised, we try to get all those patients we think have Influenza into one room and have the doctor see them as quickly as possible."
Those at greatest risk to have complications due to the flu are the age extremes - seniors over the age of 65 and children under the age of five, as well as people with pre-existing medical conditions.
For those who have a clean bill of health and aren't on either end of the age spectrum, the flu is unlikely to be a serious health risk and your best solution if you do catch the flu is rest, drinking lots of fluids and perhaps taking an over-the-counter pain medication for the aches and pains associated with the flu.
"Most of the time it's going to run its course," said Lepage. "The best thing is rest and lots of fluids, or better than that just get the flu shot, it makes a significant difference."
The flu is an airborne virus and is capable of spreading very quickly and can live on surfaces for some time.
"We advise disinfecting surfaces in your home, in your office, stay home if you're sick, cover your mouth if you're coughing or sneezing, wash your hands, all the normal stuff," said McGibbon.
Public Health Sudbury and Districts will be holding flu clinics daily and appointments are encouraged. Pharmacies will also be offering flu shots, but will not have the high-dose vaccine that is recommended for seniors.
"People are encouraged to call and book their appointments," said McGibbon. "We also want to note that there is no flu mist, in previous years we had the nasal spray for children, but it's not available in Canada this year."
McGibbon also advised that the flu vaccine can take up to two weeks to take effect.
"So if you're planning to attend a family gathering then you should plan ahead for your flu shot," she said.
To book your flu shot appointment you can contact PHSD at 705-522-9200 or visit them online at phsd.ca for more information.
