A later-than-usual flu season has been hitting northern Saskatchewan over the past two weeks.
As such, the Northern Saskatchewan Population Health Unit (NSPHU) is advising residents to take the certain precautions.
“Having information about influenza can help people manage their illness at home and to know when it is important to be seen by your health practitioner,” Dr. James Irvine, medical health officer for northern Saskatchewan, said in a news release.
Irvine said that in some communities, many people are going to their local health centre due to the flu.
But the NSPHU noted that not everyone who has the flu needs to visit a health centre.
The agency says the best way to reduce the risk of getting the flu is to get a flu shot, wash the hands often, cough and sneeze into an arm instead of a hand, and clean objects that many people touch regularly.
The types of flu being reported around northern Saskatchewan are those that this year’s flu vaccine will help prevent, the NSPHU said.
People with the flu are generally advised to treat symptoms with rest, medicine and plenty of fluids. They are also advised to stay home to reduce the spread of the virus to others at work or school.
Some individuals may be at a higher risk for complications of the flu or may have a greater chance of getting sicker. They include people with health conditions such as cancer (especially if undergoing cancer treatments); diabetes; heart disease; lung disease; marked obesity; people 65 and older; people who live in long-term care facilities; children under the age of 5; and pregnant women.
According to the NSPHU, people in these categories are advised to be seen by their health provider if they have a high fever.
People with increasing or persisting shortness of breath, chest pain, blue lips, stiff neck, confusion or drowsiness, or children under the age of 3 months with a fever, should be seen at the clinic or hospital.
NSPHU advises residents wanting more information to call the Saskatchewan HealthLine at 811 or visit its website by Googling “Saskatchewan HealthLine.”
