Public Health Nurse Ashley Lawson says this flu season has gotten off to a slower than typical start but it’s no time to ease off on the campaign encouraging the flu shot.
The first lab-confirmed case was not registered until mid-December and a total of 23 lab-confirmed cases have been documented as of last week by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
Lawson says in her role with the Communicable Disease Control Department, she has noted the increased number of influenza cases in children this season nationally. Although the Health Unit does not separate reported cases by age, Lawson notes the “very young and the very old are a high-risk population and that is why it’s so important they get vaccinated. And, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.”
Sometimes it can be challenging for parents to read the signs and symptoms of a common cold and the flu. Lawson says they are often mistaken for one another but the flu has a more pronounced fever, weakness and muscle aches in comparison to a cold. Lawson stresses if there are symptoms that you cannot manage on your own, it is important to seek medical attention.
There are a number of ways for the public to get vaccinated and Lawson says walking into the Health Unit is one of them. Vaccinations can also be administered at participating pharmacies and medical offices.
Lawson says it is hard to tell if flu cases will pick up but she does caution that just because the district is behind last year’s pace, that does not mean there are not cases in the community that have gone unreported. And even a small number of lab-confirmed cases confirms to health professionals influenza is circulating.
Her suggestion is to get you and your family members, especially those in high-risk groups (young, old, immune-compromised) vaccinated as soon as possible.
