Flu cases are appearing throughout the province, and some doctors believe this year’s season is starting earlier than usual.
Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, mentioned that while it’s not unusual, Ontario has seen a rise in cases leading up to Thanksgiving and Halloween weekends.
“It’s an early rise but it absolutely is a rise,” he told CBC Toronto Monday. “Flu season starts in the fall and it’s the fall. Sometimes it’s a little earlier in the fall, sometimes it’s a little later … usually [it’s the] tail end of October, early November.”
This year, the most common strain is H1N1, which tends to be less severe for those infected compared to the H3N2 subtype, Bogoch noted.
“At an individual level, any flu … can still cause tremendous harm and people feel really, really crummy,” he said.
In a statement to CBC Toronto, a Toronto Public Health spokesperson said the city is following Ontario’s respiratory vaccine rollout. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
The latest data from Canada’s respiratory virus surveillance report indicates a 3.7 per cent positivity rate during the week of Sept. 21 to Sept. 26. The positivity rate refers to how many tests return positive; however, it’s unclear how many people actually get tested when they become ill.
The data shows that H1N1 was the dominant strain and detections were highest among individuals aged 65 or older.
Joseph Param, a family doctor in Toronto, says he’s noticing more influenza patients at his clinic-primarily young adults who often use public transportation, shop for groceries, and work out at gyms. He explains that some symptoms distinguishing flu from a common cold include muscle or body pain, fever and fatigue.
“Instead of actually seeing their primary care provider and getting properly tested, [infected people are] assuming it’s just a cold. ‘Oh, I’ll still go into work’ or ‘I’ll still go to school,'” he told CBC Toronto Monday. “Oftentimes that’s where we see the spread.”
Param suggests that climate change and changing weather patterns might contribute to this early increase as well as adjusted travel plans.
Currently in Ontario, data reveals that the positivity rate stands at three per cent-similar to the national average-but activity was higher during the week of Sept. 20 compared to the previous week according to Public Health Ontario’s respiratory virus tool.
Even with more infections reported, Bogoch states flu vaccinations aren’t widely available yet for everyone.
“Flu shots are rolling out now for those who are most at risk,” he said. “They’ll be available to the general public a little bit later on in the month.”
Family doctor Joseph Param agrees it’s crucial to get vaccinated while also recommending regular hand washing, avoiding crowded places and wearing masks as good practices for preventing flu infection. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
A spokesperson from Toronto Public Health stated that they’re adhering to Ontario’s plan for respiratory vaccines rollout. Adults aged 65 and older will be first in line for both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines as Chris Wai mentioned on Monday.
Bogoch emphasized getting your flu shot when it becomes available and staying home if you’re feeling unwell is wise advice.
“It would certainly be helpful if there was some malleability on when the shots could be rolled out and if you could move it up a little bit or down a little bit,” Bogoch said.
Param also stressed getting vaccinated while noting additional ways like frequent handwashing or avoiding busy areas can help prevent catching influenza.
“The greater our herd immunity, the more we’re protected as a community,” he said. “People think,’I didn’t get flu last year; I’m not going to get my flu shot this year.’
“Those viruses are mutating and they’re evolving. That can make subsequent flu seasons more challengingandmore unpredictable which makes it harder for us top lan,” he added.
If you’re feeling sick over Thanksgiving weekend , Param advises staying home. p >
“It’s importantto learn fromthe lessons ofthe pandemic ,” hesaid.”Wecan alwaysconnectlater.” p >
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