Flu season is arriving in eastern Ontario sooner than usual this year, the medical officer of health and CEO of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit says. While flu season typically peaks between late November and January, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, A.K.A. Dr. Paul, says that peak may happen a few weeks ahead of schedule. “We think it’s going to peak — when I say peak, the maximum number — in about two to three weeks from now, which will be the middle of November,” Dr. Paul told CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Wednesday. “It can be a bit early, but it doesn’t change our message. Our message is: vaccinate.” Dr. Paul says the flu shot is critical to helping decrease the risk of flu-related complications. While the flu vaccine is already available for high-risk and priority groups, Ottawa Public Health says it will be available to the broader public beginning on Oct. 26. COVID vaccines are also widely available, Dr. Paul says. “As we have flu shots, we have COVID vaccinations,” he said. “Those are recommended for individuals 65 years of age and older, but really, anybody can get those shots.” To prevent the spread of flu and other illnesses, Ottawa Public Health also recommends frequent hand washing, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, disinfecting highly touched surfaces and wearing a mask. Who is most susceptible? Dr. Paul says there are three main groups that are most susceptible to flu: people over the age of 65, those who have chronic medical conditions and children under five. “Last year, tragically, between Ottawa and east Ontario, there were three children that died of the flu, and so we know we underestimate the effect in young children, and so we want to be able to protect everybody,” he said. What to be on the lookout for The common cold will typically only last a few days, and, as Dr. Paul explains, often involves minimal to no fever. By comparison, the flu will start similarly to a cold but then cause fever and body aches. The flu can often cause people to be tired, or possibly even bedridden, for one to two weeks, Dr. Paul says. Ottawa Public Health says common flu symptoms include:
