This is an opinion column written by Dr. Karim Ali, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control, published in the St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review and Welland Tribune.
Every fall and winter, I find myself sounding like a broken record: respiratory illness season is coming. And every year, I remind myself why I got into this work in the first place.
My passion for infectious diseases started with outbreaks. They are unpredictable, they demand vigilance and they show just how interconnected we all are. Infectious diseases evolve quickly. The only way we can keep up is to adapt. That reality isn’t just global — it’s right here at home. Each fall, as schools reopen and people spend more time indoors, we see the same pattern play out with familiar viruses like influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID.
Already this year we’ve seen some COVID activity at our hospitals, sporadic community cases requiring ICU care and influenza cases showing up through travel. It’s anybody’s guess how severe this season will be. But, what we do know is this: prevention works.
What You Can Do
Respiratory illnesses are more than a nuisance. I’ve cared for healthy people who ended up in the ICU fighting for their lives after “just the flu.” One young patient needed months of intensive care and even ECMO (a form of life support). He survived, but the experience changed him. He now champions the flu vaccine because he knows firsthand the toll influenza can have.
That’s why I ask people to take these steps seriously:
- Get your flu shot as soon as possible.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
- Throw tissues in the trash, don’t keep them in your pocket or purse.
- If possible, stay home if you’re sick to avoid spreading the virus.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and phones.
- Keep your vaccines up to date: influenza, COVID and RSV, if you’re eligible (now available to those 75 and older, or younger with risk factors).
When to Seek Care
Not every cough or fever needs a trip to the Emergency Department (ED). EDs are for life-threatening and complex issues like chest pain, stroke symptoms or severe injuries. For less serious issues, consider family doctors, walk-in clinics, pharmacies, urgent care or virtual urgent care.
But don’t ignore symptoms if you’re at risk. If you have ongoing high fevers, shortness of breath or can’t stay hydrated, especially if you’re older, pregnant or have underlying conditions, seek medical attention.
Why It Matters
Niagara Health’s EDs already care for nearly 150,000 patients a year — about 400 every day. When respiratory illness surges, wait times grow longer. By taking simple steps to prevent illness and using the right care options, you help keep emergency care available for those who need it most.
I’ll leave you with this thought: respiratory viruses will always be with us. They are experts at survival. But our response — prevention, vaccination and early care — determines how much harm they cause. My job, and my passion, is to keep us one-step ahead.
This season, I hope you’ll join me.
