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The flu season is more dangerous this year
Although flu viruses circulate every fall and winter making people sick, this season will be different. A new strain of influenza
called H1N1 is now infecting people all over the globe and will make this flu season more dangerous.
Usually, the flu makes only certain groups of people severely ill. These include the very young, the very old, and people
who are already sick. Healthy people may get sick and miss a few days of school or work, but they do not normally need to
go to the hospital to get better. Because the H1N1 flu strain is new and very different from the flu strains that circulate
yearly, more groups of people will get ill than in a regular flu season.
The very young, the very old, and those who have chronic diseases are still at risk for severe illness and death caused by
H1N1 infection. However, some children and adults who were otherwise healthy have become very ill from H1N1 and needed hospitalization
to get better. Despite the best available medical care, some of these otherwise healthy people infected with H1N1 have died.
So far, the number of deaths from H1N1 has been relatively small, but more deaths are expected.
Avoiding the virus and staying healthy
The best way to protect yourself and your family is to stay healthy and avoid becoming infected with the H1N1 virus. By getting
the H1N1 flu shot, and by practicing good hygiene and social distancing, you greatly increase the chance that this season
will be no worse than other flu seasons for your and your family.
Vaccination: get the H1N1 flu shot, get the regular flu shot
The H1N1 flu shot is a very important part of not getting ill and stopping the spread of the virus. Canada has ordered enough
flu shots for anyone who wants one. The shot is free and it will prevent H1N1 infection. The flu shot is also safe. It will
not give you the flu or any other illness. Any risk from getting the flu shot is far smaller than the risk of severe illness
or death from getting H1N1.
The H1N1 flu vaccination is recommended for almost everyone. Only babies under 6 months of age should not get the flu shot.
It is very important for pregnant women and people who have chronic conditions, including children, to get the H1N1 flu shot.
For tips on how to make vaccinations as easy and pain free as possible for your child, see "Pain-Free Injections"
If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or call your local public health agency. In Ontario, this is TeleHealth
Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
Another reason this year is different from a normal flu season is because both seasonal and H1N1 viruses are circulating.
This means that in addition to the H1N1 flu shot, people should also get their regular, seasonal flu shot. The timing of when
these shots will be available may vary from province to province. Ask your doctor or call your local public health agency.
In Ontario, this is TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
Good hygiene means:
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Washing your hands as often as possible. Get your children and other family members to do the same. If soap and water are
not immediately available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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Not touching your face. Viruses transmit between people when an uninfected person gets the virus on their hands and then touches
their face. Once at the face, the virus can get inside the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes.
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Covering your mouth with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. If you use a tissue, dispose of it immediately and wash your
hands.
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Washing surfaces in your house, especially ones you touch often, such as doorknobs, fridge doors, and light switches.
Social distancing means:
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Reducing close or direct contact with someone who may have H1N1.
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Staying away from ill people.
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Not shaking hands or kissing when greeting people.
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You should be stay home as much as possible if you are sick, and do not let people who are sick into your house.
It can take a day for infected people to show symptoms of infection. People who appear perfectly healthy can still transmit
the infection to others.
Staying healthy and informed
Although some healthy people will get severely ill from H1N1, staying healthy during flu season is always a good idea. Eat
a well-balanced diet rich in food containing vitamins C and D. This means lots of fruits, vegetables, and legumes such as
beans and lentils.
It is also important to stay informed about the flu and how to protect yourself. As researchers and medical experts learn
more about H1N1, government health agencies will provide additional information about the flu.
If you or your child gets sick
If you or your child gets sick, stay home, rest, and call your doctor or your local public health agency. In Ontario, this
is TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. If you or your child is in a high-risk group (very young, very old, pregnant, or
already sick with something else), call your doctor right away when you get flu symptoms.
Typical flu symptoms may include:
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aches
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a cough
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sore throat
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runny nose
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headache
| Last Reviewed | Reviewed by |
| October 20, 2009 |
Upton Allen, MBBS, MSc, FRCPC, FAAP
|
