A look inside Canada’s RSV and flu crisis

So why is RSV such a huge issue now for Canada? Is it just the timing? RSV, FLU, COVID ? seeing hospitals here in Georgia getting busier as well. Is this just because of all the turmoil and turnover in the healthcare industry or is it a combination of issues?

globalnews.ca...

Anyone can contract RSV, and adults above the age of 65 years and those with underlying diseases are also at an increased risk of getting severely affected, he told Global News.

While children’s hospitals are currently feeling the strain of RSV and flu cases, there is concern about the negative impact of “onward transmission” to the elderly.

“We’re quite worried about this tripledemic in older adults as well – influenza, COVID-19, but also RSV,” said Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Sinai Health and University Health Network hospitals in Toronto.

“And right now, we are quite concerned of what this will mean for our hospitals caring for adult patients as well,” he added.

globalnews.ca...

“In general, we’re seeing more children requiring oxygen and other supportive therapies at this time than we did with the COVID surge in the spring. But even then, our emergency department volumes were nowhere near where they are now,” said Dr. Stephen Freedman, an emergency department physician at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. “That’s because of the timing of these viruses, it’s all happening at the same time.”

At the time Avery was admitted to ICU, her mother says there were 15 other patients in the unit, all with RSV, the flu or both viruses at the same time.

“It was scary; there were paramedics dropping kids off, literally as one stretcher was taken away, another replaced its spot within minutes,” said Weger.

calgary.ctvnews.ca...

An Alberta mother is recounting her experience arriving at a packed children's hospital when her young daughter was in dire need of help.

Amanda Weger said it's been a terrifying two weeks since she brought her daughter Avery into the Alberta Children's Hospital, where the 23-month-old remains with RSV and the flu.

"We originally went to urgent care here in Airdrie and the parking lot was completely packed," she said. "So, I decided to drive into Children's."

A surge in respiratory illnesses in children has slammed the hospital – with wait times exceeding 12 hours.

calgary.ctvnews.ca...

BRING BACK MASKS?
Saturday, emergency room physician Joe Vipond, who was a vocal critic of UCP policies during the height of the pandemic, weighed in on the situation, saying that health-care workers are facing a workplace crisis in addition to a health crisis.

"We know that we have RSV," Vipond said. "We know we have influenza and of course, we still have COVID circulating and that's resulting in a lot more kids being admitted to hospitals than usual and we just don't have the space.

"We still have completely packed hospitals. We still have too many kids getting sick and needing hospitalizations," Vipond said.

the West has a myriad of incoming crises so anything that distracts will be grasped by an elite that have put themselves into a vice..

a reply to: putnam6

I feel part of the issue is to do with the shorter days we are experiencing this time of the year. Hopefully as the days get longer and people get more sunlight the numbers will trend downward.

originally posted by: nickyw
the West has a myriad of incoming crises so anything that distracts will be grasped by an elite that have put themselves into a vice..

So everything is a connected conspiracy? TPTB are just seizing this as an opportunity to deflect and misdirect from their sinister intentions?

I'm open to the possibility, but do we have any links? FWIW Ive seen the gamut of NWO/WEF theories but most say it's already succeeded and it's too late, with lots of variations in between. But I'd really like to read where the elites have their proverbial teats in a wringer, and who, what and how can this be made to happen more often.

a reply to: putnam6


It was warned from start that the covid vaccines can cause Antibody Dependent Enhancement’ (ADE ) .


ADE

originally posted by: Kenzo
a reply to: putnam6


It was warned from start that the covid vaccines ca cause Antibody Dependent Enhancement’ (ADE .


ADE

In other words, it possibly weakens the immune system or worse...which does play into population reduction CTs ie lower the population through COVID, and lower it even further with the vaccines.

Respectfully that's some James Bond super-villain type chit if that is already occurring I would pose that perhaps it's already too late for us peasants, peons, and pissants.

a reply to: putnam6


Yep, it's messing up the immune systen. The immune system is the best tool, and if that start go off , out from balance , fighting off flu ets can be harder job.

It's not just vaccines that can effect the immune system thought, just having vitamin D deficiency can lower it's force too.

This winter could be really bad for flu -like illnesses

originally posted by: dffrntkndfnml
a reply to: putnam6

I feel part of the issue is to do with the shorter days we are experiencing this time of the year. Hopefully as the days get longer and people get more sunlight the numbers will trend downward.

Vitamin D deficiency?

Respectfully
Doesn't Canada always have shorter days in the winter?

Besides, how are they seeing almost double the COVID hospitalizations as they did at the same time last year? That's not the sunlight or vitamin D deficiency.

www.ctvnews.ca...

More than two-and-a-half years into the pandemic and hospitals across the country continue to grapple with the effects of COVID-19.

According to data from the Public Health Agency of Canada, between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, 2022, Canadian hospitals saw an average of about 4,700 hospitalizations a day due to COVID-19. During the same period last year, the average had only been 2,000 per day.

Among the hardest hit provinces, Quebec reported over 2,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first-time since August as the province's minister of health urged residents to get their boosters for added protection.

www.cbc.ca...

The province reported 328 people in hospital Thursday, with 37 people in the ICU
CBC News · Posted: Nov 24, 2022 6:19 PM PT | Last Updated: November 24

Travellers are pictured at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia. Health officials in B.C. recommend people continue to wear masks in crowded, public areas to protect themselves from COVID-19, flu and respiratory illnesses. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

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comments
In its latest weekly report, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control says COVID-19 hospitalizations have remained steady across the province, but the number of patients in critical care has gone up.

On Thursday, the BCCDC reported 328 people in hospital with the coronavirus — the same as the week before. But the province also reported 37 people in the ICU with the disease, an increase of 42 per cent from the 26 reported on Nov. 17.

a reply to: putnam6


I think it`s the vaccination as the main reason in Canada . They do have shorter sun exposure also . But by reading the news, like Dr.William Makis reporting about doctors dropping dead in Canada, suddenly it points to vaccines .

People like to live in fear

originally posted by: Overd0sed
People like to live in fear

Really I think some do live in fear but lots more don't

However, the neurotic and paranoid among us do seem to squeal louder. So your suggestion is the media post the fear-mongering for just ratings or do they use fear as a controlling device?

Or is it as Professor Henley theorized that we don't really need to find out what's going on and we don't really wanna know just how far it's gone most just leave well enough alone.

I tend to chalk these "outbreaks" up to the fact that by and large, for the past two years people have been wearing masks and actually washing their hands. We've successfully protected ourselves from things that normally make the rounds.

Now that masking is over, it's catching up. I spent all of those twoish years in a high turnover retail environment and never caught COVID, nor did any of my employees. I, and most at my workplace, declined the vaccine. While I think there is evidence that the vaccine is causing immune system issues, I can't speak to it. But I can say that I wasn't sick for those twoish years and as soon as all of the masks came off I got sicker than all hell.

Both of my boys had RSV and Pneumonia concurrently at age 2. Experiencing that firsthand, I can tell you it was pretty scary for me as a parent. It was touch and go for the first few days at the hospital. Mind you, this was long before COVID. The RSV virus is seasonal and hospitals have had protocols in place for years to deal with it, particularly in Ped wards.

We haven’t been able to find OTC expectorants, decongestants and anti inflammatories for months now. Meaning children, who generally fare pretty well when treated early at home, now end up in hospital. The shortage began in July. It’s now December and the drugstore shelves are empty. It’s a no brainer. But sure, they can blame some “tripledemic”

Double post

originally posted by: KMGR81
I tend to chalk these "outbreaks" up to the fact that by and large, for the past two years people have been wearing masks and actually washing their hands. We've successfully protected ourselves from things that normally make the rounds.

Now that masking is over, it's catching up. I spent all of those twoish years in a high turnover retail environment and never caught COVID, nor did any of my employees. I, and most at my workplace, declined the vaccine. While I think there is evidence that the vaccine is causing immune system issues, I can't speak to it. But I can say that I wasn't sick for those twoish years and as soon as all of the masks came off I got sicker than all hell.

Both of my boys had RSV and Pneumonia concurrently at age 2. Experiencing that firsthand, I can tell you it was pretty scary for me as a parent. It was touch and go for the first few days at the hospital. Mind you, this was long before COVID. The RSV virus is seasonal and hospitals have had protocols in place for years to deal with it, particularly in Ped wards.

Thanks for the input, I don't know either but it's why I'm discussing it. We have our elderly Mom with us, and we have grown even more protectant than normal. We had my daughter visit for Thanksgiving and both she and her fiancee were really sick for almost 2 days. We practically made them stay away from Mom as well as disinfected and used the UV light a lot. Mostly out of an abundance of caution no masks though and none of us got sick.

That said there are numerous studies showing where masks might not be as effective as they want you to believe. READ THE TABLE AT THE LINK


brownstone.org...

I present the masking ‘body of evidence’ below (n=167 studies and pieces of evidence), comprised of comparative effectiveness research as well as related evidence and high-level reporting. To date, the evidence has been stable and clear that masks do not work to control the virus and they can be harmful and especially to children.

a reply to: putnam6

they've been in a vice and on the backfoot since 2007/8 its why each election has become about change but unlike the 80s the West is divided angry and frustrated. The only thing that'd work is a positive pro growth can do believe in the West outlook rather than this angry/declinist/defeatist attitude they have right now where turns everything into a crisis.

if you saw a sports team with their outlook who was angry at their own supporter you'd not need to read the back page or see a smoking gun to know the ending..

as for smoking guns, quite a few here in the uk are framing the current political system here as a Victorian gent sitting in their study with a decanter and gun as people will them to do the right thing so we can move it forward and fix what's been broken..

yes I am in the reformist camp.. i think the west could be so much more than this negative lump..

originally posted by: KleenX
We haven’t been able to find OTC expectorants, decongestants and anti inflammatories for months now. Meaning children, who generally fare pretty well when treated early at home, now end up in hospital. The shortage began in July. It’s now December and the drugstore shelves are empty. It’s a no brainer. But sure, they can blame some “tripledemic”

Yea not seeing that here in the southern US, pharmacies seem mostly well stocked. some particular brands may be low but most categories of illnesses have multiple brands to choose from.

It's ironic I'm sitting here typing this and my throat feels a little bit raw.

a reply to: putnam6

How I understand the RSV high case numbers was explained this way: because children were in lockdown and remote learning for two plus years they and the much younger non-school children were not exposed to RSV at natural rates - so children went back to the school environment with lowered immune system strength and got RSV en masse and also gave it to their younger siblings. News agencies report that now RSV is levelling off but not the Flu nor Covid.

a reply to: putnam6

These are good questions.

I raised the issue about Vitamin D, because while reading your op I was reminded of a recent Global report. I watched it with my Dad over dinner last Sunday. They reported on what was going on here, on the west coast of our great nation. I asked my Dad why hasn't vitamin D or sunlight been brought up?

He listened patiently, as I mentioned a study about corona virus infections and research suggesting cod liver oil could be helpful. I vaguely recall the report at this point. I feel it was info coming out of some northern European country. Perhaps Greenland , Iceland, or Norway where they looked into this to help treat infections.

You are respectful. My perspective on what could be happening is no mystery if anyone reviews my posting history. There came a point where I decided the best thing to do to preserve my sanity; is just to practice being supportive and helpful as I can with regards to looking out for those who may have been questioning some of their health decisions over the last few years. I need to do that or risk loosing my mind yet again or worse. My family is depending on me.

Our local Global affiliate has been running stories about inflation and how many are turning to food banks to help ends meet. Milk, fish, pork, mushrooms, eggs, butter, cereal, and orange juice are some of the staples that have become increasingly expensive for the people I care about. I'm paying almost $6 a pound for mushrooms, which makes it out of reach for me to prepare for my Dad when he visits for dinner.

Friends have told me to shop around, and that's a good suggestion. The thing is that I prefer to spend my money at the stores who have the team that know and treat me as a friend or better.

So I feel the pain of inflation, same as my neighbours. I didn't want this, and did my best to avoid it. For me, I will practice keeping my eyes on the prize and practice damage control.

This is the time of the year, individuals often try to get cozy and spend more time indoors. I prefer the outdoors, and that has served me well. As obvious as some of the other factors may be, the link to vitamin D and the expense of getting wholesome foods that support immune function stands out too much for me to keep to myself. Hopefully after the 22nd, individuals' immune systems responds better.

Thank you for starting the thread, I needed an opportunity to put this out there.

a reply to: putnam6

I was surprised when we got over covid that we got sick from the granddaughter dragging something home from school. I rarely get sick...All the symptoms point to RSV. Now why don't I have immunity to that, my immune system actually is potent against viruses. Other than a cough that wasn't so bad that lasted a week and one day with a mild fever with the covid, I had hardly no problems with that. But whatever she dragged home (RSV probably because it was going around in her school pretty well) I had a slight fever for two days and a pesky cough that lasted almost two weeks...sort of like a virus I had never been exposed to got me. I hate that sticky phlem that looks like I coughed up a real slug.

I think the RSV mutated someway or maybe the omicron drained some immune chemicals. I may be sixty seven but my immune system is overpowering, I am constantly trying to dampen it from tearing me apart....autoimmune diseases run in my family. I tend to like foods that boost immunity but learned to moderate those a little lower. None of the food chemistries I use to fight viruses including covid touched that virus she shared with us. Medicinal chicken soup didn't work, Hot Toddies did nothing for us, even an onion and garlic sandwich did nothing. It is the weirdest disease I have experienced. The soup I make and the onion and garlic sandwich on toast with miracle whip fight all kinds of microbes. Even grapefruit did not deter that last one. Don't know for sure if it was RSV but it could be something else that the local doctors were calling RSV...nobody seems to have gotten tested that I know of, just an opinion of the doctor I guess. I did check a few times with the free covid tests, negative. The Covid we had before hand tested positive with those tests, because of the symptoms it was most likely omicron...had both the delta and alpha before, the immunity only lasts about a year or more for me.

So is it really the RSV or does the Covid actually dampen the immune system making you more susceptible because of the HIV markers supposedly it has? I am curious because usually when I get any disease, no matter how mild, my immune system fights all things and I do stop dampening my immune response when I get a virus or something, and that has been working great for around five years now. I am starting to wonder if there are lots of viruses mutating these days, or being a little conspiracy minded, I wonder if there have been escapes of other viruses that have been mutated by labs.