Questions and answers

What's a mild case?

A mild case of the swine flu can feel like a regular seasonal flu. It can include a high fever, cough, and aches, and can last a few days, though each case varies. More serious cases can include pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Will camps close?

No. The camps are operating as usual, as the cases to date have been mild. However, health officials say they will close any camp that has a severe case.

How can the H1N1 flu spread at a camp?

Officials believe that it spreads after a child arrives at camp already carrying the virus. With shared eating and living quarters, the virus can spread quickly from there.

What should I do if my daughter or son is booked to go?

Parents worried about their children should consult their doctor. Some American Lung Association camps have closed because of the heightened risk the H1N1 flu poses to its campers. Officials recommend children be taught the importance of diligent hand-washing and hygiene, and parents can call ahead to see if the camp has had any H1N1 cases.

Are young children affected differently than teenagers?

The H1N1 virus has disproportionately affected young, healthy people, though it's unclear if an elementary student is more susceptible than a secondary-school student. The presence of underlying medical complications is a more common link between many cases than a patient's age.

How many people have contracted the H1N1 flu virus so far?

Wednesday, the number of total Canadian cases topped the 10,000 mark, and the vast majority have been mild.

The number fatalities rose to 45 Wednesday, including a Quebec woman, the province's 17th reported death. Health officials say the victim, in her 70s, lived on the North Shore in the eastern part of the province. She had underlying health conditions that made her more vulnerable to the virus.

There have also been 15 deaths in Ontario, six in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan, three in Alberta and one, reported earlier this week, in British Columbia.

Nationwide, the common flu sends about 20,000 Canadians to hospital each year.

With a report from The Canadian Press