What is RSV? Why older Canadians need to know about it Of all the things with which you can get sick, respiratory syncytial virus – known as RSV – might not be top of mind. But it’s an important one to be aware of, especially for older adults. The common, highly contagious virus is sometimes perceived as a bug that children pick up in daycare or other group settings and typically presents itself as being similar to a cold or flu. However, RSV can make anyone sick, and older adults are among those at increased risk for serious infection. In fact, most deaths attributed to RSV occur in adults 65 and older. Underlying conditions common in adults – such as diabetes and lung or heart disease – can increase the risk of serious effects from RSV, but even those without chronic conditions are more vulnerable to infections and health complications than younger people. This is because of the natural decline in how well our immune system functions as we age. The immune system – like our vision and metabolism – typically peaks in young adulthood and then starts a slow and steady decline, which leaves older adults more susceptible to infections and health complications. While preventive options for RSV are in development, there’s currently no vaccine or specific treatment available in Canada for adults. Further, immunity from previous exposure to RSV is shortlived, making it possible to catch the virus again and again. Without vaccines or treatment, practising general infection control measures to avoid RSV can help. Washing your hands frequently, not touching your face, covering your coughs and sneezes in public, regularly disinfecting surfaces which you touch often and avoiding time spent close to anyone who is ill are all things that you can do to help reduce your risk. Snowbird Alert Source: www.newscanada.com The next big health threat – and how to stop it The COVID-19 pandemic has caused so much damage, but it’s not the first global health crisis and unfortunately, it won’t be the last. The next major health threat may not be a new disease, but it could very well be microbes developing resistance to existing drugs. Microbes – just like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites – evolve as do any other living thing and, over time, develop resistance to the antimicrobials we use to fight them. Resistant microbes survive treatment and are able to pass on the trait that allowed them to survive: repeat, repeat, repeat. It’s called antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is already happening, and faster than our ability to develop new antimicrobials. If things keep up, we could face a return to a world in which many infections are simply untreatable. But there are things which you can do to help prevent this: Reduce your risk of getting sick. Disease prevention is the best strategy to reduce AMR and help antimicrobial medications remain effective. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Keep up to date with vaccinations. Follow prescriptions exactly. Take medication exactly as prescribed by a medical professional, even if you start to feel better. There could still be some bacteria left in your system and, if you stop early, they’ll survive to pass on their resistance and multiply inside you again. Keep an eye on pets. AMR develops in microbes in animals just like it does in humans. It’s important to keep animals safe; monitor them for injuries that could become infected, wash your hands before and after handling your pets’ food and take your animals to a veterinarian regularly. Are your sore joints trying to tell you something? We all feel aches and pains from time to time. But if you often feel stiffness, swelling or pain in the knees, hips or other joints – don’t brush it off. Research suggests that there could be as many Canadians living with undiagnosed arthritis as there are with the diagnosis. It is important to recognize early signs of the disease because the condition can have a dramatic impact on your life, bringing pain, fatigue and restricted mobility. “Simply put, early action can lead to early relief,” says Dr. Sian Bevan, chief science officer at Arthritis Society Canada. “Even young Canadians shouldn’t ignore persistent stiffness and pain. This disease does not discriminate and can strike at any age.” Maintaining a healthy weight, keeping active and eating a balanced diet can all help to relieve pain and slow joint degeneration. Check your symptoms and learn how you can manage joint pain at arthritis.ca/ symptomchecker. 6 | www.snowbirds.org
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