Don’t invite H1N1 to your Christmas party
Posted Dec 17, 2009 05:53:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
‘Tis the season of giving – and the province’s top doctor is urging partygoers not to give the H1N1 virus as a gift this year.
The second wave of the H1N1 pandemic is dying out, but Dr. Robert Strang is encouraging people to remain vigilant about not spreading the virus – and says the holidays are rife with opportunity.
“We tend to get together more, we’re more social, we imbibe a little and there’s closer contact with others, we’re sharing food and drinks,” he said. “So there’s more opportunities to perhaps spread diseases, and we have to pay more attention around how do we prevent both the transmission of H1N1 and other diseases.”
Strang is reminding the public to wash their hands, cough into sleeves and disinfect commonly used surfaces such as counters and doorknobs.
These basic steps prevent not just H1N1 but a whole range of viral and bacterial illnesses,” he said. “So we’re asking people to pay attention to that so they’re not spending their holidays in bed but are able to spend them enjoying them with family and friends.”
Strang says anyone who’s experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay away from holiday parties and gatherings – and hosts and hostesses should ask guests who aren’t feeling well to stay home.
