Flu bug bites harder across province as festive season looms
Health officials advise getting vaccine shot
It’s the dreaded, much less festive side of the holiday season: chills, fever, body aches and fatigue.
Alberta health officials say there are more cases of influenza circulating in the province compared with this time last year, in part because the virus got off to a lazy start in 2011.
As of Dec 1, there are 204 lab-confirmed cases of the flu, 60 of which are in Calgary. That compares to only 17 instances of the virus across the province for the same period in 2011.
It’s impossible to predict the year-to-year patterns of influenza because they vary wildly, said Dr. Judy MacDonald, Calgary’s medical officer of health.
The fact that so many cases are popping up across Alberta is a good reminder for people to get a flu shot to guard against the illness — especially during the holiday season.
“People get together more often this time of year and germs love that,” said MacDonald. “Whether it’s influenza or some of our other viruses that circulate at this time, it’s a way to transmit to more people, so get your vaccine.”
Most people who get the flu will recover within one to two weeks, but some people are at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia. The main complications are secondary bacterial infections of the sinuses or lungs.
But influenza isn’t the only pesky bug threatening to put a damper on holiday parties and activities: the equally unpleasant Norovirus is making the rounds in Alberta.
The Norovirus — a gastrointestinal illness — often results in a few days of vomiting and diarrhea, and is more serious for those with weakened immune systems.
The pesky bug occurs yearround but tends to flare up during the winter months. It is spread through things such as unsanitary food preparation, and the virus can live on surfaces such as kitchen counters or bathroom sinks for weeks.
In 2011, there were 29 outbreaks of Norovirus in Calgary. The number is up this year to 34 outbreaks across the city, seven in November alone.
Much like the flu, people can fight the spread of Norovirus with frequent hand washing and by avoiding contact with co-workers and family while ill.
“The best thing to do is stay home, don’t share it with others and try not to prepare food for anybody because that is one of the ways it moves from person to person,” said MacDonald.