Hospitals around B.C. are struggling with the annual influx of influenza sufferers, many of whom are making matters worse for everyone by crowding into emergency waiting rooms.
In this 91裸聊视频渋nformation age,91裸聊视频� there are so many misconceptions around seasonal influenza that it91裸聊视频檚 hard to know where to start. First, in most cases there is no cure or prescribed treatment that can be offered at hospitals or clinics.
Frail elderly people, and those with chronic conditions or secondary infections may need medical support. The rest of us should learn to prevent contact, treat ourselves and avoid spreading these fast-mutating viruses around.
Many people still don91裸聊视频檛 understand what 91裸聊视频渢he flu91裸聊视频� is. No, it91裸聊视频檚 not generally associated with throwing up, contrary to every statement by every hockey coach who has ever spoken on TV. (Professional athletes and coaches have medical doctors on staff, but apparently they never listen to them.)
Influenza is a with chest and nasal congestion, which can last for weeks. Young children may vomit, often because they can91裸聊视频檛 control their coughing.
I won91裸聊视频檛 go into all the nonsense people hear about the flu vaccine. Suffice it to say it is the best current effort of modern medicine. This year91裸聊视频檚 vaccine targets the A/California, A/Hong Kong, B/Brisbane and B/Phuket strains, which emerged globally last year as the vaccine formula was finalized. It91裸聊视频檚 not perfect, but little in science is.
91裸聊视频淔lu shot didn91裸聊视频檛 work. My kids are throwing up,91裸聊视频� is a classic comment from a parent who really should do some studying. A good place to start would be a call to the B.C. Nurseline, 8-1-1, for reliable non-emergency health advice, available around the clock.
The kids more likely have what is erroneously called 91裸聊视频渟tomach flu,91裸聊视频� or to be accurate, norovirus. This is another contagious winter malady, featuring diarrhea as well as vomiting. No, there91裸聊视频檚 no cure for that waiting at the ER either. It91裸聊视频檚 particularly dangerous in hospitals and care homes, where quarantine and intensive cleaning are the main responses.
Taking virus-infected people to hospitals or clinics unnecessarily has the added impact of exposing medical personnel, who are already overworked at this time of year.
Our website editions carried a story last week about a , where doctors posted a letter on the door calling on employers to get a clue too.
91裸聊视频淧eople seeking sick notes 91裸聊视频� who otherwise wouldn91裸聊视频檛 see a doctor 91裸聊视频� end up in physicians91裸聊视频� offices, walk-in clinics and emergency department waiting rooms,91裸聊视频� it said. 91裸聊视频淭here, they may spread germs to pregnant women, frail elderly people, cancer patients and babies 91裸聊视频� all of whom are vulnerable to communicable diseases.91裸聊视频�
They warn that 91裸聊视频渟ick note91裸聊视频� visits are not covered by B.C.91裸聊视频檚 Medical Services Plan. If local employers continue to demand sick notes, the clinic will invoice them $50 per visit, which is 91裸聊视频渟tandard practice for non-medically necessary services for third-party organizations.91裸聊视频�
The doctors offer some advice that may sound familiar:
91裸聊视频淚n most cases, the best remedy for a patient with an isolated illness (such as a gastrointestinal virus, influenza or a common cold) is to stay home, rest and drink fluids.91裸聊视频�
Remember the common cold? It91裸聊视频檚 technically called rhinovirus, and it also changes as it spreads through the population as a generally milder version of influenza.
People don91裸聊视频檛 talk much about getting colds any more. Now everything tends to be called the flu.
One last point: the contagious period for influenza begins when you catch it, a couple of days before you know you91裸聊视频檙e sick, and extends for about five days after symptoms emerge.
Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @tomfletcherbc
