Influenza circumstances down, RSV and COVID up in Inside Well being – Okanagan

On the Pharmasave in Kelowna, B.C.’s Glenmore space, some cabinets that may usually be stuffed with over-the-counter drugs to deal with signs of the flu and different respiratory sicknesses are pretty sparse.

“Flu medicine gross sales are loopy to place it mildly,” mentioned proprietor pharmacist Craig Tostenson.

With an abnormally-high demand for medicine this flu season, producers are struggling to maintain up.

“Because it’s a extremely harsh flu season that gross sales, the demand goes to proceed,” Tostenson advised International Information.

This yr’s flu season is being described as vastly completely different from years previous.

“It has began earlier and it has been extra distinguished,” mentioned Dr. Fatemeh Sabet, medical well being officer with Inside Well being (IH).

The surges in COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have well being consultants calling this a “tridemic” — a triple menace that’s placing pressure on well being care.

“We’ve got seen a rise in numerous respiratory infections on the identical time this yr,” Sabet mentioned. “It’s one thing that we weren’t seeing at this stage throughout the years earlier than the pandemic.”

0:39 Majority of Canadians nonetheless involved over COVID: ballot

Within the Inside Well being area, whereas November and December noticed the height by way of the variety of circumstances, IH mentioned respiratory sicknesses are nonetheless having a big effect.

“We proceed to see respiratory infections at a excessive stage,” Sabet mentioned.

After being the primary offender early on within the season, Sabet mentioned influenza numbers have declined.

Nevertheless, that’s not the case with RSV and COVID.

“The variety of RSV infections are rising, the variety of COVID infections are barely rising,” she mentioned.

Whereas extreme outcomes like hospitalizations and deaths are at present secure, based on IH, there are individuals who should be further cautious.

“People who’re older or youthful inhabitants, infants youthful than six months of age and people with underlying medical circumstances,” Sabet mentioned. “So it’s extra vital for these people to bear in mind that respiratory infections proceed to be circulating.”

Sabet urged the general public, and particularly the weak inhabitants, to take steps to guard themselves.

“The perfect factor that we will do is to be updated for our vaccines,” she mentioned. ” Staying dwelling if you’re sick or when you may have any signs of respiratory an infection and in addition observe hygiene measures like hand-washing or avoiding touching your face, sneezing or coughing into your elbow and carrying masks in case it’s wanted.”

IH mentioned the Omicron variant continues to be essentially the most dominant pressure of COVID-19 that’s circulating throughout the well being area. Well being officers at the moment are maintaining a tally of the brand new model of it, the XBB1.5 subvariant.

Whereas IH mentioned a lot of the circumstances in B.C. are within the Decrease Mainland, the well being authority mentioned it’s seemingly it’s solely a matter of time earlier than this area is impacted.

“Contemplating our earlier experiences of circulating respiratory infections. Inside Well being follows the variety of circumstances within the Decrease Mainland,” Sabet mentioned. “So we expect to a rise within the numbers right here too.”

6:10 Has the chilly & flu season peaked in Canada?

&copy 2023 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.