The holiday season isn’t the only season on the horizon. Looking ahead to the coming of this year’s flu, the CIUSSS de L’Estrie-CHUS is encouraging the public to adopt healthy habits and stay out of emergency rooms as much as possible. “There are many options before turning to the emergency room,” said Lyne Cardinale, Director of General Services for the regional healthcare establishment. “Stay home, get advice from your pharmacist or the Info-santé nurses, consult your family doctor or a drop-in clinic. In the majority of cases it is not necessary to go to the emergency room.” The director encouraged people concerned about symptoms to turn first to the Info-santé help line by dialing 811, as that will allow them to speak with a health professional without the risk of spreading contagion to others by leaving the house. Cardinale said that at this point in time the flu has yet to hit its stride for the 2019-2020 season, meaning that health professionals are putting an added effort to ensure that people are aware of their options and best preventative practices in advance to help prevent the system from being overwhelmed during the holidays. See full story in the Thursday, Dec. 19 edition.
