Severe flu season predicted in Alberta, children’s medication shortage continues

It’s the time of year where the sniffles, sneezes, and sore throats start to surface.

Whether it’s allergies, a common cold, flu, or COVID-19, it can have many feeling down and out this fall.

Dr. Brian Conway, an infectious disease specialist based in Vancouver, says based on trends seen in other parts of the world, Canada should prepare for the possibility of a severe flu season.

“During their winter in Australia that is just coming to an end, they have experienced the most significant outbreaks of influenza infection since 2017,” Conway said. “Oftentimes what happens in Australia, predicts what happens in Canada.”

Conway says to expect more people sick with the flu and COVID-19 as the weather gets colder. He encourages people to get their vaccines as soon as they can.

He adds it’s important to know symptoms of certain illnesses, the more serious ones being the flu and COVID-19, as the symptoms are almost identical.

“[People with] fever, muscle aches, headaches, a cough, and just feel generally unwell should consult a healthcare provider to figure out what is going on,” Conway said.

“If your eyes are watering and you’re sneezing, that’s probably allergies. And the stuffy nose, a bit of a cough, a slight headache, that’s probably the common cold, which is another virus that tends not to be as severe.”

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Children’s cold and flu medication shortage continues

While adults have several options to fight their symptoms, the same can’t be said for children.

Laura Combden, a mother of two, tells CityNews children’s medication is hard to find, as drugstore stock’s run low or shelves are completely empty.

“You’ll find one deep in the back and you’ll pull it out and you’ll know it’s the last one which is heart breaking for the next parent,” she said.

Many parents have no other option but to call pharmacies with an approved lab facility to make child dose pain medication.

Conway says if your child is old enough, they may be able to take an adult version of the medicine, as the active ingredients are the same. He encourages parents to talk to a doctor so they can make an informed decision.

“For those who are a little bit older and can swallow a pill, it’s the same medicine as the children’s formulation. It probably doesn’t taste as good, not banana-flavoured, not strawberry-flavoured, melon-flavoured, but still effective,” Conway said.

On top of seasonal illnesses, COVID-19 is still putting pressure on Alberta’s healthcare system.

“COVID is not over, I cannot think of a time in the future when I am able to say ‘COVID is over,'” Conway said. “This is now part of society.”

In Alberta, there are more than 1,000 people in hospital, and 46 people died from the virus over the past two weeks.

–With files from Logan Stein