Sudbury Northern Life
The Sudbury & District Health Unit is reporting the first confirmed case of influenza infection in the Greater Sudbury area.
Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious, acute, viral disease of the respiratory tract. Symptoms include high fever, headache, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches and pains. Some people may also have mild stomach upset. The most common symptoms usually include a runny nose and cough.
“Although this is the first case reported to the health unit this season, influenza cases have been confirmed in other parts of the province,” said Lisa Mills, manager of Clinical Services with the Sudbury & District Health Unit.
Tests have confirmed that this local case is influenza type B. The annual influenza vaccine contains strains of influenza type B and type A. Tests from across the country have demonstrated an excellent match between the circulating strains of influenza and the strains contained in this year’s vaccine.
“Immunization is very effective at controlling the spread of influenza in the community. It’s not too late to make an appointment with the health unit to get your flu shot,” said Mills.
This season, health unit staff have administered more than 13,000 influenza vaccinations and about 80,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed to health care professionals.
People who are ill with influenza and other respiratory infections should stay at home to avoid infecting others, especially the elderly. Frequent hand-washing can also reduce the spread of influenza.
Influenza is the most serious of a number of respiratory viruses that cause coughs, sniffles, and fever each winter. Most people who get the flu feel worse than they would with a simple cold. Even the young and healthy may take one week or more to recover.
To book an appointment to get your flu shot, call the Health Unit at 522-9200. Visit www.sdhu.com for additional information.
