Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Influenza A Surge, Health Security, and Understanding Parosmia

Transcript

Influenza A Surge, Health Security, and Understanding Parosmia · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Hello and welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
• 0:02
  Chow.
• 0:03
  I'm your host, Dr.
• 0:04
  Chi-Ming Chow.
• 0:06
  Today, we're diving into some pressing health news making headlines across Canada.
• 0:11
  First on our list is a concerning development from the province of Saskatchewan, where health
• 0:16
  officials are warning of a surge in a deadly influenza A virus.
• 0:22
  This strain is particularly affecting children and the elderly, and worryingly, much of the
• 0:27
  province remains unvaccinated against this virus.
• 0:33
  Joseph Blondeau, who leads clinical microbiology at the University of Saskatchewan,
• 0:38
  has reported a significant increase in the test positivity rate for influenza A.
• 0:44
  According to Blondeau, the situation is dire, with a large number of positive cases being
• 0:49
  reported daily.
• 0:50
  This rise in flu cases has also led to an increase in hospitalizations, a trend that
• 0:55
  aligns with what was observed in the southern hemisphere's winter season, where influenza A
• 1:00
  was the dominant strain.
• 1:03
  Tragically, this strain has already been blamed for the deaths of three children in Ontario
• 1:09
  earlier this month, underscoring the severe impact it can have across all age groups.
• 1:15
  As a precautionary measure, the Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation, located northeast of
• 1:20
  Saskatoon, has decided to cancel all community dinners during the holiday season to prevent
• 1:27
  further spread of the virus.
• 1:29
  The Saskatchewan Health Authority has also noted a rise in school absenteeism, a
• 1:34
  reflection of the virus's reach.
• 1:37
  Dr.
• 1:38
  Simon Kapaj, a medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, has expressed
• 1:44
  concern over the low vaccination rates in the province.
• 1:47
  Only about 20 percent of residents have received their seasonal flu vaccine, a figure
• 1:52
  that Dr.
• 1:53
  Kapaj attributes partly to vaccine fatigue following the pandemic.
• 1:58
  He stresses that the flu vaccine remains the best defense against severe complications from
• 2:03
  the virus, especially for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
• 2:09
  In response to the situation, officials are urging residents to take preventive measures
• 2:14
  such as frequent handwashing, staying home when feeling unwell, and wearing masks in public if
• 2:19
  coughing.
• 2:20
  However, the most emphasized recommendation remains getting vaccinated to reduce the risk
• 2:25
  of severe illness and hospitalization.
• 2:28
  As we continue to monitor this situation, it's clear that increased awareness and vaccination
• 2:34
  uptake are crucial in combating this flu surge.
• 2:37
  It’s a stark reminder of the importance of vaccines in protecting our communities,
• 2:42
  especially in times when a virus can spread so rapidly.
• 2:48
  In a troubling incident at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, a patient was arrested
• 2:53
  after assaulting a doctor in the hospital's adult emergency department.
• 2:57
  The incident, which occurred on a Friday afternoon, was confirmed by Winnipeg police to
• 3:02
  CBC News.
• 3:04
  Shared Health, the organization overseeing health services in Manitoba, described the
• 3:08
  assault as a "traumatic event" and emphasized the significant impact such incidents have on
• 3:14
  all hospital staff.
• 3:16
  While the suspect's identity, age, and gender remain undisclosed, the assault underscores
• 3:22
  ongoing concerns about safety within the hospital, which is Manitoba's largest.
• 3:28
  Indeed, safety has been a growing issue at the Health Sciences Centre, drawing attention from
• 3:33
  both the public and health care professionals alike.
• 3:37
  This incident is not isolated.
• 3:40
  It follows a series of security concerns that have plagued the hospital.
• 3:44
  Earlier this year, the Manitoba Nurses Union reported that 94 percent of nurses at the
• 3:50
  Health Sciences Centre voted in favor of "grey-listing" the hospital.
• 3:55
  This term refers to discouraging front-line workers from seeking employment there due to
• 4:01
  safety concerns.
• 4:03
  This vote came on the heels of several crimes that occurred in the vicinity of the hospital,
• 4:09
  including sexual assaults involving five individuals, two of whom were nurses, in July.
• 4:15
  In response to these concerns, the province of Manitoba has taken steps to bolster security.
• 4:22
  As of November 1st, two police officers have been stationed at the Health Sciences Centre
• 4:27
  around the clock.
• 4:29
  This measure was part of an effort to enhance safety and provide a rapid response to
• 4:34
  incidents.
• 4:35
  Remarkably, these officers were called into action the day after their duties commenced,
• 4:40
  responding to the assault on the on-call doctor.
• 4:44
  Additionally, the hospital has implemented AI-powered weapon detectors in an attempt to
• 4:50
  prevent violent incidents.
• 4:52
  Despite these measures, assaults have continued, including an attack on a health-care
• 4:57
  aide and a nurse at the hospital on October 19th.
• 5:01
  These events highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring a safe working environment for
• 5:07
  hospital staff and the urgent need for effective safety strategies.
• 5:13
  In Quebec, the public health director, Dr.
• 5:15
  Caroline Quach, is raising alarms over a particularly aggressive strain of influenza A,
• 5:21
  known as H3N2, which is spreading rapidly.
• 5:26
  According to Dr.
• 5:27
  Quach, the flu season has arrived earlier than usual this year, with cases rising sharply and
• 5:33
  expected to peak during the holiday season.
• 5:36
  Speaking on Radio-Canada's Tout un matin, she described the virus as spreading "a little bit
• 5:42
  like wildfire."
• 5:44
  Dr.
• 5:45
  Quach explained that the virus has mutated, allowing it to evade both vaccination and
• 5:51
  antibodies from previous infections, making it highly contagious.
• 5:56
  This situation has prompted concerns, particularly in light of recent flu-related
• 6:02
  deaths in Ontario, where three children tragically lost their lives.
• 6:06
  Dr.
• 6:07
  Quach noted that while flu-related deaths occur annually, it's particularly distressing when
• 6:13
  they involve young children without risk factors.
• 6:17
  In Montreal, the strain is putting significant pressure on pediatric hospitals, with both the
• 6:23
  Montreal Children’s Hospital and CHU Sainte-Justine reporting high patient volumes
• 6:28
  due to seasonal viruses and respiratory infections.
• 6:32
  Parents are being urged to avoid bringing children to emergency departments unless
• 6:38
  absolutely necessary, as both hospitals are experiencing overcapacity.
• 6:43
  Minor infections accounted for more than 40 percent of visits last week, with stretcher
• 6:48
  occupancy reaching 130 percent at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
• 6:53
  At CHU Sainte-Justine, the situation is similarly challenging, with minor cases making
• 6:59
  up roughly 40 percent of visits and an average occupancy rate of 147 percent.
• 7:06
  Dr.
• 7:07
  Harley Eisman, medical director at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, emphasized that emergency
• 7:13
  services should be reserved for children requiring immediate care.
• 7:17
  Parents are encouraged to use alternatives like the 811 Info-Santé line or local walk-in
• 7:23
  clinics to ease the burden on hospitals.
• 7:27
  Dr.
• 7:27
  Quach reiterated the importance of getting the annual flu shot, which is available to everyone
• 7:32
  in Quebec.
• 7:33
  While the vaccine is not a complete remedy, it significantly reduces the risk of
• 7:37
  complications.
• 7:39
  She also stressed the importance of good hygiene practices, such as handwashing,
• 7:44
  coughing into your elbow, wearing masks in public, and avoiding close contact with
• 7:48
  vulnerable individuals.
• 7:50
  Furthermore, Dr.
• 7:52
  Quach advised people to stay home if they're feeling unwell, especially if they have a
• 7:57
  fever.
• 7:58
  She cautioned against taking medication to mask symptoms just to attend social gatherings,
• 8:04
  emphasizing the importance of using judgment in assessing risk levels.
• 8:09
  Meanwhile, regional health authorities in the Quebec City area are urging those with mild
• 8:15
  symptoms to avoid emergency rooms and instead seek care through primary resources like
• 8:21
  testing centers, where vaccinations and prescriptions are also available.
• 8:25
  Today, we're delving into a topic that affects our senses in a rather unexpected way:
• 8:33
  parosmia.
• 8:35
  Parosmia is a disorder where the perception of odors is distorted, often making things smell
• 8:41
  unpleasant or even repulsive.
• 8:44
  Imagine picking up a banana expecting a sweet, fruity aroma but instead being hit with the
• 8:48
  scent of rotting flesh.
• 8:50
  This is the reality for those experiencing parosmia.
• 8:54
  The condition arises when the olfactory sensory neurons in the nose, responsible for detecting
• 9:01
  smells and sending signals to the brain, are damaged.
• 9:05
  This damage can occur due to bacterial or viral infections, including COVID-19, which is one of
• 9:12
  the most common causes.
• 9:14
  However, head injuries and certain neurological conditions can also lead to parosmia.
• 9:21
  Fortunately, parosmia is usually temporary, but it significantly impacts one's appetite, mental
• 9:29
  state, and overall quality of life.
• 9:32
  When these smell receptor cells are impaired, the brain interprets scents differently.
• 9:38
  Richard Doty, director of the Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsylvania
• 9:42
  Medical Center, likens it to a piano with some strings cut, resulting in discordant sounds.
• 9:49
  For some, parosmia makes common items like food or household products smell 'off,' while for
• 9:55
  others, previously pleasant scents become unbearable, carrying odors like burnt, sewage,
• 10:01
  or metallic smells.
• 10:03
  A variety of triggers can provoke parosmia, ranging from everyday items like coffee,
• 10:08
  onions, and garlic to more specific scents such as chocolate and citrus fruits.
• 10:14
  The sense of smell is closely linked to taste, so parosmia often alters how food tastes as
• 10:20
  well.
• 10:21
  This can lead to a loss of appetite and even weight loss, as dining becomes an unpleasant
• 10:26
  experience.
• 10:28
  COVID-19 has been a significant factor in the rise of parosmia cases.
• 10:34
  Loss of smell and taste were hallmark symptoms of the virus, and many who experienced these
• 10:40
  symptoms found their senses altered long after recovery.
• 10:44
  Parosmia tends to appear two to three months following the initial infection, with some
• 10:50
  individuals reporting these changes lasting for six months or more.
• 10:54
  The 'COVID smell' is often described as foul or rancid, akin to rotting flesh.
• 11:01
  The complications of parosmia extend beyond mere inconvenience.
• 11:06
  It can affect social interactions, especially in settings involving food, and pose safety
• 11:12
  risks, such as failing to notice spoiled food, smoke, or gas leaks.
• 11:18
  For professionals whose jobs rely on a keen sense of smell, like chefs or firefighters,
• 11:24
  parosmia could be particularly challenging.
• 11:27
  Diagnosing parosmia involves a thorough medical history review and physical examination.
• 11:32
  Doctors may conduct smell tests, like 'scratch and sniff' booklets, to assess the extent of
• 11:38
  the condition.
• 11:39
  Specialists such as otolaryngologists or neurologists might be consulted to rule out
• 11:44
  other serious conditions.
• 11:46
  Treatment for parosmia can vary.
• 11:49
  Often, the sense of smell returns on its own, as the damaged nerves regenerate.
• 11:55
  Avoiding known triggers, engaging in olfactory training, and medications like clonazepam or
• 12:01
  phenytoin might help alleviate symptoms.
• 12:05
  In rare cases, surgery might be considered, particularly if nasal polyps or tumors are
• 12:11
  involved.
• 12:12
  Olfactory training, a method involving exposure to various scents to retrain the brain's
• 12:18
  processing of smells, has shown promise, especially in post-COVID cases.
• 12:23
  While there’s no guaranteed cure, many find relief over time, with lifestyle adjustments
• 12:28
  playing a key role in managing symptoms.
• 12:32
  As we conclude today’s episode, it’s important to recognize how parosmia highlights the
• 12:37
  critical role our senses play in daily life.
• 12:41
  While challenging, understanding and addressing these sensory disruptions can lead to improved
• 12:46
  quality of life for those affected.
• 12:49
  Thank you for tuning in to Morning Medical with Dr.
• 12:51
  Chow.
• 12:52
  Stay healthy and informed, and we'll see you next time.