Local clinic urges calm as H1N1 spreads

In October the clinic saw 217 patients with influenza-like illness, executive director Marion Moritz said. That time last year the clinic only diagnosed three people with the flu. “By and large everyone is mild,” Moritz explained.

Two people who visited the clinic last week, however, were sent to hospital, she continued, noting one of the two patients had an underlying disease while the other was a baby. “A goodly number of people who are coming here do not need medical care,” she said of patients arriving with flu-like symptoms. “Very few people who have been to the clinic have required treatment at all. “The message really is one of calm.”

She suggested those with mild symptoms for three or four days take their Tylenol or ibuprofen and drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest, not unlike what most would do with the seasonal flu.

Of course, members of a high risk group – those under five years of age, people with underlying chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women – should seek treatment, Moritz cautioned.

Patients, however, should see their family physicians first and, if that’s not possible, head to the clinic, Moritz said.

Flu season, which normally peaks in February or March, has come early this year. With health care workers already going full tilt, Moritz indicated she hopes the population isn’t hit with this first wave and then the seasonal flu later in the season. For more information the flu, visit ottawa.ca/health or call 613-580-6744.