Don’t let respiratory infections ruin your Christmas holidays

With Santa's big day less than two weeks away, an infectious disease specialist is encouraging Nova Scotians to take steps now to help make sure they can have a Merry Christmas.

Dalhousie University's Dr. Lisa Barrett says there's a lot of respiratory virus activity in the province.

She tells CityNews Halifax there's still “quite a bit” of COVID-19 around, along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), viruses that cause common colds and influenza, which is hitting us faster and earlier than usual this season.

“High and fast numbers happening all at once,” she says. “We're not certain yet whether the grand total of the respiratory season will be higher overall by the end of it, but certainly now the big pressure is that everyone's getting sick at the same time.”

Barrett says the H3N2 flu virus is dominant right now in Canada.

“That's fairly nasty. People who get vaccinated get sick, but not as sick as the folks who don't get vaccinated, those are the people we're seeing come into hospital and be very sick.”

She says it's even possible for people to get infected with COVID and flu at the same time.

“It does happen and it can well be that the two viruses together may either make things a lot worse or just longer for folks. It depends on their underlying health status,” Barrett explained. 

“Regardless of whether it becomes catastrophic, you really just don't want or need to get multiple viruses at the same time.”

If you want to avoid getting sick, you don't necessarily need to skip the office party, avoid the malls and sell your tickets to the World Juniors.

But Barrett recommends wearing a comfortable and well-fitting mask, especially inside and in crowded public spaces.

“Some people can't wear the KN95 or the N95, they find them uncomfortable, in that case wear a surgical mask,” she says. “What's not sufficient is a single layer of jersey material worn over your face, and no mask is effective unless it covers your nose as well.”

“Does it make a difference if you wear a mask and nobody else does? It does for you, so it may still reduce your risk of getting a virus.”

Frequent hand washing can also prevent illnesses and if you haven't had your flu shot or fall dose of COVID vaccine, with Christmas coming fast, the sooner you get them the better you'll be protected over the holidays.

And a reminder, flu shots don't protect you from COVID and vice-versa.

Both vaccines can be booked online through the province's website, or by calling 1-833-797-7772 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.