Daniel Kaszor, National Post
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009
Compiled by Megan O'Toole
How many people have died from H1N1 in Canada?
The latest numbers from the Public Health Agency of Canada show a total of 96 deaths countrywide from H1N1. The majority of those cases were in Ontario and Quebec, with the East Coast and northern Canada largely spared.
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How quickly does the virus progress in the body?
That depends. It can progress more quickly in those with chronic conditions, such as a respiratory illness, by leading to complications. In general, officials say, it takes two to seven days after exposure for symptoms of H1N1 to develop.
In light of this week's death of a healthy young teenager, should all children be vaccinated early?
The H1N1 flu virus affects younger people more, officials say, but most experience few complications from the disease. A number of ''priority groups'' has been identified nationally who should get the vaccine first, but preteen and teenaged children are not among them.
So who are the priority groups?
They include pregnant and breastfeeding women, health-care workers, young children between six months and five years of age, people with chronic medical conditions, care providers and those living in remote or isolated communities.
What are the symptoms of H1N1?
If a child develops a high fever and cough, parents should watch closely for additional symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, discoloration of the lips, extreme drowsiness, crankiness or fussiness in infants, or not drinking enough fluids, Dr. King said. If there is cause for concern, citizens are advised to contact a health-care provider.
How do you know if you've contracted a mild or severe case of the flu?
Both mild and severe cases come from the same strain of the flu, and because H1N1 is a "novel" virus, it is more likely to cause severe illness in people who are otherwise young and healthy, said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's medical officer of health. It is not clear why some of those people die and others do not.
Should I pull my child out of school or extracurricular events?
School closures have not been shown to be effective, Dr. King said, because young people tend to congregate in groups outside of school regardless. In addition, school can be a good place to teach children about how to prevent infection. "I think it's important that we keep living our lives," she said. Children involved in outside activities such as sports teams should take care to keep their hands clean and not share water bottles, Dr. McKeown said.
What should we do to prevent the spread of H1N1?
Getting the vaccination is the No. 1 way to prevent its spread, officials say. But other helpful tips include washing hands often, keeping common surfaces clean, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve if a tissue is unavailable, and staying home from work if symptoms show up.
Is there enough vaccine to go around?
Yes. "We are very fortunate in this country to have enough vaccine for anyone who will need and want it, and we are rolling out that vaccine as quickly as possible," Dr. King said.
James Morton
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Toronto, Ontario
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