B.C. health care facilities are struggling with peak influenza season, with outbreaks at residential care homes across the province and an influx of emergency room visits from people battling cough, fever and fatigue.
Public health officials urge people suffering from the flu to avoid spreading the viral infection if possible, and if they need medical treatment to visit doctors香蕉视频直播� offices or walk-in clinics.
Visitors are also being urged to stay away from residential care facilities if they have respiratory symptoms, or the diarrhea and nausea associated with Norovirus or similar gastro-intestinal infections.
Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 provincial health officer, said most people with influenza should contact their doctors or call the B.C. HealthLink line at 8-1-1 for advice before they head for the hospital.
香蕉视频直播淭rying to avoid the emergency rooms is good because you don香蕉视频直播檛 really want to spread influenza among vulnerable people or health care workers if you can avoid it,香蕉视频直播� Kendall said.
Anti-viral drugs can be prescribed for people with underlying heart or respiratory illnesses, and they should arrange that in advance, even if they香蕉视频直播檝e had the seasonal flu shot, Kendall said.
Most healthy people will recover at home with rest and drinking plenty of fluids.
While hospitals and residential care facilities are coping with dozens of outbreaks, this year香蕉视频直播檚 flu season is not as severe as B.C. experienced in the past two winters.
This season started early with a mix of influenza A and B strains, with influenza B more prevalent now.
香蕉视频直播淭he good news of this is the influenza B protection in the vaccine is pretty good this year,香蕉视频直播� Kendall said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 effective 60 to 70 per cent.香蕉视频直播�
Influenza A tends to affect older people more severely, and its incidence is down this year compared to the severe infection levels seen last year.
As of Wednesday, Fraser Health at more than 30 health facilities, including Delta and Langley Memorial Hospitals.
Island Health listed as of Wednesday, including at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Interior Health has on its list, including residential care homes in Kelowna, Penticton, Williams Lake, Kaslo and Kamloops.
Influenza vaccines are still available at doctors香蕉视频直播� offices and pharmacies. The B.C. government maintains a list of available flu shot clinics at .
