When do you need to see the doctor when you have a flu?
Now’s the time of year when most Canadians are done with winter, but the season is still going strong—and so is the flu.
The illness is taking a toll all across the country, with indicators in the “higher range of expected levels” for this time of year and with “widespread” activity in Ontario and parts of B.C., Quebec and Atlantic provinces, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s most recent FluWatch report.
The U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deemed the 2017-18 flu season as the worst in almost a decade.
Health experts here describe the season as a weird one.
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“We’ve had a double whammy with influenza A H3N2 and simultaneous influenza B/Yamagata right from the outset, which is quite unusual,” says Danuta Skowronski, epidemiology lead
of influenza and emerging respiratory pathogens at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. “Normally, we see influenza B toward tail end of the influenza A epidemic, generally on the downslope, not on the upswing. But influenza B has been rivaling influenza A since the beginning.
“It’s an unfortunate double whammy in particular because H3N2 is a subtype typically associated with more severe epidemics by end of season: more hospitalizations, more deaths, more IC [intensive care] admissions than for another subtype called H1N1,” she says.
The influenza B lineage that’s currently circulating, meanwhile, tends to severely affect adults over 50. “We’re seeing, as a result, outbreaks in long-term care faculties due to both,” Skowronski adds.
Despite this year’s double hit, flu symptoms remain the same, with sudden onset of fever and cough among them. “Unlike other respiratory illnesses, influenza also has more generalized, systemic systems: a feeling of being generally achy in the joints and muscles and extreme fatigue are hallmark features,” Skowronski says.
Most people don’t need to go and see a doctor for the flu but will recover without any treatment other than symptom management, rest, and hydration at home, she says.
However, there are times when people should seek medical attention: if a fever isn’t coming down after three days or respiratory symptoms are getting worse, for example. Respiratory symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid breathing and difficulty breathing.
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There are other signs that people may overlook but that are red flags.
Canadians should see their healthcare provider right away if they’re experiencing chest pain, bluish or grey skin colour, bloody or coloured mucous or spit, sudden dizziness or confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, or low blood pressure, the Public Health Agency of Canada suggests.
Like older adults, kids are at high risk of developing serious complications or even dying as a result of influenza.
When it comes to children, people should watch for them not drinking enough fluids or eating, not waking up or interacting, not wanting to play or be held, and irritability.
Those with other health conditions, including diabetes and obesity, and women who are pregnant, must be especially careful.
“The people we encourage to see a doctor early are people with underlying health conditions, in particular those with heart and lung conditions and the elderly,” Skowronski says. “They should seek care early because they’re at higher risk of serious complications.”
For these people, anti-viral medication can help mitigate the risk of serious complications if taken ideally within 12 hours of symptom onset, 48 hours at the latest.
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