HOW DOES RSV SPREAD?

RSV can spread through contact with a person ill with the disease, or by touching a contaminated surface

Most people recover from RSV illness in about a week, but some people can become seriously ill. Infants and older adults are at higher risk of developing severe illness and need hospitalization

PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK OF RSV

Nearly all children will have an RSV infection before 2 years of age. Some people are at greater risk for RSV-related complications, including:

– Premature infants

– Infants 6 months of age and younger

– Children with chronic lung or heart disease

– Children with neuromuscular disorders

– People of any age with weakened immune systems

– Infants under 6 months of age living in remote communities

– Adults 65 years of age and older

RISK OF HOSPITALIZATION

RSV infection is the most common cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants requiring hospitalization. Hospitalization increases with age, particularly among adults 65 years of age and older.

PREVENTING RSV

– Wash your hands with soap and water frequently

– Clean common surfaces

– Avoid close contact with others who may be sick

– Stay at home when you are sick

– Cover coughs and sneezes

Protection is available for infants at high risk using monoclonal antibodies. Vaccination is available for the prevention of RSV in older adults, but programs vary across provinces and territories.

The Town of Drumheller Fire Department invites families, friends and anyone interested in all things fire safety to attend an Open House and BBQ at the Fire Hall on October 12, from 10:00am until 3:00pm.

Stop in and enjoy:

Activities for kids

Prizes

Demonstrations

Fire Hall and equipment tour

BBQ

Please come by, check out the Fire Hall and equipment, indulge in a BBQ and learn about cooking safety this week for Fire Prevention Week!

No registration is required.

It can occur anywhere, and can have serious and long-lasting effects: low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and physical health problems.

Extreme or long-lasting bullying can push kids beyond their capacity to cope, driving kids to self-harming behaviors, or even consider taking their own life to end their pain. By the time a child reaches out to a someone for help, they’ve probably endured bullying for a long time.

‍It’s important to talk to your children about bullying – if you think your child is being bullied, has witnessed bullying, or being a bully to others. Encourage them to speak up if they or someone they know is being bullied. If your child is being bullied, it’s important to take action by talking to their teacher, school counsellor, or another appropriate authority figure.

BullyingCanada is here to help your bullied kids 24/7, it is a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to those affected by bullying.

If your child is being bullied, we can help, free of charge, in the following ways:

Counselling – provide free counselling services to those who have experienced bullying. Your child can speak to a trained counsellor who can provide support and guidance on how to cope with bullying.

Resources – has a wealth of resources available on its website, including information on how to identify bullying, how to report bullying, and how to build resilience and self-esteem.

Advocacy – can act as an advocate for your child by working with schools, law enforcement, and other organizations to address bullying and ensure that your child is safe.

Education – is committed to educating the public about bullying and its effect, to raise awareness and promote positive change.

Support – provides a safe and supportive space for those who have experienced bullying.

Working together with organizations like BullyingCanada, you can help your child overcome bullying and build a brighter future.

One in four people experience sleep difficulties, which include trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, early morning waking, sleeping too much, or restless or unsatisfying sleep. It is important to discuss your sleep problems with your doctor.

Getting a good night’s sleep can improve your mental well-being and help you to better manage your anxiety.

To improve your sleep, try some of the following strategies:

⚬ Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment – Create a comfortable sleep environment.

⚬ Relax – Try doing something to relax your body and mind before going to bed.

⚬ Have a Snack – Although a heavy meal late in the evening can disrupt sleep, a healthy light snack in the evening can improve sleep.

⚬ Get Physical – People who exercise tend to have more restful sleep. Exercising for at least 30 minutes three times a week can improve your sleep. The best time to exercise is in the late afternoon or early evening.

⚬ Set a Bedtime Routine – Having a bedtime routine cues your body that it’s time to sleep.

⚬ Establish a Fixed Awakening Time – Try waking up at the same time every day. This way your body will begin to get used to a regular sleep rhythm.

⚬ Sleep Only When Sleepy – Don’t force yourself into bed at a particular time if you’re not feeling sleepy.

⚬ Just for Sleeping – Your bed should be used strictly for sleeping (sex is the only exception

⚬ Get Out of Bed – If you can’t fall asleep after 20 to 30 minutes, get out of bed and do something boring or relaxing. When you start to feel sleepy, try going back to bed.

⚬ Don’t Worry – Leave your worries about work, school, health, relationships, etc. out of the bedroom.

⚬ Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Smoking – Avoid consuming caffeine, alcohol or smoking at least four hours before bedtime.

⚬ Skip the Nap -Naps can interfere with normal sleep cycles – So, if you’re having trouble sleeping, avoid taking naps.

⚬ Get Some Natural Light – Try to spend some time outdoors or in natural light every day.

At some point in our lives, we have stressful times. Unexpected difficulties, financial pressures, unemployment, or situations such as emergencies and disasters can affect us. There are resources and services available to help you and your loved ones during a difficult time. Remember, it is okay to ask for help. Everyone deals with stress differently and a traumatic event can have a big impact.

Help Available 24/7

The following helplines are available 24/7 for support or access to addiction and substance use or mental health information and services.

Helplines

Addiction Helpline – 1-866-332-2322

Mental Health Helpline – 1-877-303-2642

Additional Support

811 Health Link – Health Advice 24/7

211 Alberta – Community Services

Indigenous Support Line – 1-844-944-4744

Crisis Text Line – Text CONNECT to 741741

Family Violence – Find Supports – 310-1818 (call/text, online chat)

Income Supports – 1-866-644-5135

Indigenous Support Line – 1-844-944-4744

Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

MyHealth.Alberta.ca: List of Important Numbers

Physician & Family Support Program – 1-877-767-4637

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 988

Talk Suicide Canada call – 1-833-456-4566, text – 45645

Save Lives by Registering to Donate

Give Life Alberta is dedicated to increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation – and access to life-saving transplants. Registering as a donor can save lives – and restore the quality of life – of hundreds of people in Alberta each year.

Why Register to Donate

You need to register your decision to donate either online or at a motor vehicle registry office, even if you signed the back of your health care card, to ensure the information is recorded with Alberta Health.

Thousands of Canadians, including hundreds of Albertans, are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant; however, only 1-2% of people can be potential organ donors upon their death. It’s in the numbers: when more people donate, more lives are saved.

Did you know…

One organ donor can save up to 8 lives.

________________________________________

Each year, dozens of people in Alberta die while waiting for a transplant.

Did you know…

Almost everyone can be considered for tissue donation.

________________________________________

One tissue donor can help heal up to 75 people, with life-changing gifts such as eyes, bone, skin and heart valves.

Living Donors

Living Donor Services are active in both Edmonton at the University of Alberta Hospital, and in Calgary at the Foothills Medical Centre.

• Living organ donors can give one kidney, or part of the liver.

• Living tissue donations can include surgical bone and amniotic membrane.

• Living donors mean shorter wait times and typically improved outcomes for recipients, thanks to better quality donations and more planning time.