In case you’re bundled up in blankets, battling a fever and feeling the aches set in, you’re not alone. Influenza A, higher often called the flu, is on the rise.
Influenza instances have been on the rise in latest weeks, in line with the Public Well being Company of Canada (PHAC). As of Feb. 1, 21.2 per cent of assessments have come again optimistic for influenza, up from 16.91 per cent the earlier week.
In Canada, flu season usually runs from November to April, and whereas anybody can catch the flu, the virus can generally result in extreme problems — even demise, which is why specialists stress the significance of the annual flu shot.
In comparison with this time final 12 months, PHAC knowledge exhibits that flu instances are spiking a lot later than in earlier seasons. Through the 2022 to 2023 season, instances peaked on the finish of November, whereas final 12 months, the height got here on the finish of December.
This flu season additionally seems to be returning to a extra “pre-COVID” sample, with instances rising in late January and early February, defined Christopher Labos, a Montreal-based heart specialist and epidemiologist.
“The flu is always a little bit different every year because it’s a different virus,” he instructed International Information. “But during COVID there was a lot of disruption to the normal circulatory patterns of viruses, like RSV during the summer and starting earlier and ending earlier. So there was a little bit of variability in 2021, 2022 and 2023.”
As a result of COVID-19 disrupted many viruses, it could clarify why latest flu seasons peaked a lot earlier or later than traditional. Labos believes this present season is extra according to pre-COVID flu patterns, the place peaks usually happen in January.
It’s unclear when instances will decline, Labos added, however predicted a plateau within the subsequent few weeks as hotter climate helps convey flu season to an finish.
Flu is a contagious respiratory sickness that infects the nostril, throat and generally the lungs, in line with the United States Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
There are two predominant varieties that trigger seasonal flu in people: influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A is extra frequent and may trigger extra extreme outbreaks, whereas influenza B tends to be milder however nonetheless contributes to flu season.
At the moment, in Canada, PHAC knowledge exhibits influenza A is dominating, accounting for 94.2 per cent of all instances in Canada.
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The flu spreads via respiratory droplets when an contaminated individual coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land within the mouths or noses of people who find themselves close by. It may well additionally unfold by touching contaminated surfaces after which touching the face.
It may be arduous to inform the distinction between signs of the flu and different respiratory sicknesses like COVID-19, Labos mentioned.
“There is a lot of overlap between the symptoms. You can maybe take a guess if you have very widespread myalgia — sore muscle pain consistent with influenza,” he defined. “If you’re having a very, very sore throat, that might be more consistent with COVID. But there is no reliable way to know. You have to test.”
Flu signs might differ from individual to individual, in line with Well being Canada. Signs normally seem one to 4 days after publicity to the virus and embody:
- fever
- cough
- muscle aches and ache
- chills
- tiredness
- headache
- sore throat
- lack of urge for food
- runny or stuffy nostril
Kids might also endure from diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Probably the most commonly-reported signs this flu season embody cough and fever, in line with PHAC.
Who’s most susceptible to the flu?
The aged, immunocompromised people and people with preexisting well being situations are most in danger for extreme instances and hospitalization.
PHAC knowledge exhibits a majority of flu outbreaks in Canada (65.1 per cent) have been reported in long-term care amenities. Others embody retirement properties and acute care.
Nevertheless, whereas younger, wholesome people can normally get well from the flu at dwelling, Labos emphasised many individuals underestimate how extreme influenza might be.
“If you’re young and healthy, you probably will survive influenza and you might be able to ride out the symptoms at home,” he mentioned. “However you will really feel the muscle aches, and they are often incapacitating. So even younger, wholesome individuals can have pretty extreme symptomatology.’
He added that influenza generally is a very critical virus, claiming hundreds of lives annually.
Though flu instances are up, PHAC mentioned the speed of weekly hospitalizations linked with the virus has been usually secure in latest weeks.
Since Aug. 25, 2024, a complete of 76 influenza-associated deaths have been reported in Canada.
Flu signs can usually be managed at dwelling with loads of relaxation, staying hydrated with fluids like water, and utilizing over-the-counter medicine to cut back fever and physique aches, PHAC mentioned. Most individuals get well from the flu in seven to 10 days.
In some instances, a well being care supplier might prescribe antiviral medicine, particularly in case you have extreme signs or are at greater danger for problems.
Over-the-counter cough and flu drugs shouldn’t be given to kids beneath six except particularly suggested by a healthcare supplier.
It is best to go to the emergency room if flu signs turn out to be extreme, PHAC added. In adults, warning indicators embody problem respiration, chest ache, confusion, persistent dizziness, extreme dehydration or a excessive fever that gained’t go down.
For youngsters, look ahead to quick or troubled respiration, bluish pores and skin or lips, excessive drowsiness, irritability, fever with a rash or indicators of dehydration like dry mouth and no urination for a number of hours.
Infants beneath three months needs to be seen if they’ve any fever, bother feeding, problem respiration or uncommon sleepiness.
The primary line of defence in opposition to influenza is the flu shot, Labos mentioned. With instances on the rise, he means that anybody who hasn’t been vaccinated ought to nonetheless get the shot, because it’s not too late.
“If you’re going to be in a high-risk situation or public transport, like a plane, if you’re going to be in a place where you’re breathing the same air with a bunch of different people and you’re at high risk, I would wear a mask,” he added.
And naturally, washing your arms continuously with cleaning soap and water is likely one of the finest methods to stop the unfold of germs.
