Health News For Champlain


Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Pembroke Regional Hospital
Pembroke Regional Hospital Asks For Public’s Help In Preventing The Spread Of Germs This Flu Season

PEMBROKE – It’s that time of year again. Everywhere you turn, someone has the sniffles, a nasty cough, or a handful of other less desirable symptoms, and the last thing you want to do is catch them.

The flu is a serious illness that is caused by a virus. People who contract the flu experience a variety of symptoms which can vary from person to person and may include fever, muscle aches, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat and extreme fatigue. For some people it can lead to pneumonia which is a more serious illness.

Anyone can get the flu and if you have it, you can infect others a day before your own symptoms even appear. You can also be contagious for up to seven days after you get sick. In most adults, the flu lasts two to 10 days, although it can last longer in the elderly, children and people with chronic illness.

Already this flu season, 88 people in Ontario have died. There have been 1,150 confirmed cases of Influenza throughout the province, and that includes 87 in Eastern Ontario.

And due to the fact that many people with influenza-like symptoms do not seek medical care or have lab testing done, it’s understood that the numbers being reported to the public health units are significantly underestimated.

“Influenza is a virus that spreads easily to other people by droplets made when people with influenza cough, sneeze or talk,” stated Dr. Maureen Carew, the Medical Officer of Health for Renfrew County and District Health Unit. Dr. Carew stated that, “Influenza can cause severe, life-threatening illness for people in high-risk groups such as seniors, young children and people with chronic health conditions.”

As part of a presentation to the Pembroke Regional Hospital’s Board of Directors Wednesday evening, Dr. Carew provided an overview of the role of the Renfrew County and District Health Unit and provided an update on this year’s influenza season. The main virus circulating in Ontario and across Canada and the United States this season is influenza A (H3N2). Although there are concerns in Canada about potential decreased protection of the 2014-2015 influenza vaccine, even in years where there has been an A/H3N2 mismatch, the influenza vaccine has been found to offer some cross protection against the drifted strain. Also, the influenza vaccine offers protection against other influenza viruses, such as influenza B.

Michelle Godsell, Clinical Manager of the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department at PRH said that while patients have been presenting with flu-like symptoms, the activity level is not out of the norm for this time of year, recognizing that in Canada, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue as late as May with peak flu season being a 10 to 16 week period that begins in December.

The good news is that there are things you can do to not only prevent yourself from getting sick, but also to help prevent the spread of germs to others, and one of the most effective methods is simple hand hygiene.

At Pembroke Regional Hospital, everyone is asked to cleanse their hands upon arrival by using the hand sanitizer provided at all entrances.

“What many people may not realize is that droplets propelled by a sneeze or a cough can carry viruses like Influenza,” said Kristie Tousignant, Coordinator of Clinical Education and Infection Control at PRH. “These viruses can live up to a few hours on any given surface so can easily be picked up and spread to others on hands. Frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer can help prevent this.”

The second part to this is prevention of those droplets from getting away from an already ill person. At PRH, all patients who have a cough are asked to put on a mask and wear it until they have seen a physician. These masks can be found at the entrances to the Emergency Department and Clinic area (Tower C).

To avoid getting the flu:
  • Get the flu shot if you’re able to.
  • Clean your hands often - with alcohol-based sanitizer (70% to 90% alcohol), rubbing until dry, or with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
  • Keep an alcohol-based sanitizer (gel or wipes) nearby.
  • Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve (elbow). Alternatively cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. If using a tissue, clean your hands after as described above.
  • Avoid touching your face. The flu virus enters your body through the eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Stay at home when you’re sick.
  • Clean and disinfect common surfaces and items. Viruses can live on hard surfaces like counters, door handles, computer keyboards and phones for up to two days.


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Carolyn Levesque, Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator
(613) 732-3675, ext. 6165 / carolyn.levesque@pemreghos.org

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