Stay Healthy This Respiratory Illness Season

Northwestern Health Unit - Special to The Bulletin

Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is confirming the first cases of influenza, also called “the flu”, in our region. Influenza is a respiratory infection that includes symptoms of fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, extreme tiredness, and sometimes nasal or sinus congestion. It can cause severe illness in some people.
Now is the time to protect yourself.
To help prevent serious illness, everyone who is eligible is encouraged to get their influenza, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines as soon as they are available. “We are reminding everyone to stay safe this respiratory illness season and to prevent unnecessary hospital visits by staying up to date on vaccinations”, says Sandra Krikke, Manager of Infectious Diseases at NWHU.  “We all need to do our part to protect ourselves and others, especially during respiratory illness season.”  Vaccines will be available mid-October for those at highest risk of severe infection, and at the end of October for the general public.
While immunization is the best way to protect yourself and others from respiratory illness, these additional measures can help keep you and others healthy: 

• Staying home when you are sick
  
• Washing your hands often 
  
• Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
  
• Avoiding touching your face
  
• Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces 
  
• Wearing a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection, or in settings that require masking
  
• Optimizing indoor air quality by improving ventilation
  

Some people are more vulnerable to infection or serious complications and hospitalization from respiratory illness. Populations that are generally at an increased risk include:

• Infants and children under 5 years of age
  
• Older adults
  
• Residents of congregate living settings, such as long-term care homes or retirement homes
• People who are pregnant
• People with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes, and those who are immunocompromised
  

If you are sick, stay home, except to seek medical care if needed.

For further information on flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses, visit Protection from Respiratory Illness (https://www.ontario.ca/page/protection-respiratory-illnesses).
For information on vaccine eligibility and to book an appointment at a local NWHU clinic, visit Booking a Fall Respiratory Vaccine Appointment – Northwestern Health Unit (https://www.nwhu.on.ca/our-services/vaccines-and-immunizations/booking-a-fall-respiratory-vaccine-appointment/).