Health: 1)Here’s what to know about flu, COVID-19 and RSV this respiratory virus season; 2)Breakouts after 30? Why adult acne happens and how it can be treated;3) Collingwood hospital adds new SPECT-CT scanner to expand diagnostic imaging

1)Here’s what to know about flu, COVID-19 and RSV this respiratory virus season

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Nicole Ireland, October 10, 2026

Respiratory virus specialists say Canadians should get their flu shot as soon as it becomes available in their area this fall.

Most provinces will start providing the flu vaccine to the general public by the end of October and it will be free of charge.

In Ontario, both the flu and COVID-19 shots became available on Sept. 28 for people age 65 and older, residents of long-term care or retirement homes and hospital patients and staff.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, said Dr. Winnie Siu, a senior medical adviser for the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), during an online briefing for health-care professionals on Tuesday.

A higher-dose version of the flu shot is recommended for adults aged 65 and older because aging immune systems often need a bigger boost.

A nasal spray alternative to the flu shot, called FluMist, is approved in Canada but availability may vary between provinces and territories, Siu said.

Even though last year’s flu vaccine wasn’t an ideal match with the circulating strains, evidence still showed 40 per cent protection against requiring medical attention or hospitalization for flu infections, she said.

Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist at McMaster University and head of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health in Hamilton, said the flu vaccine works for about six months, but peak protection lasts for about three months.

“This year it looks like we’re heading towards an early season so the advice is pretty clear — get your flu shot as soon as you can because it looks like we’re about to tick up into the epidemic range fairly shortly,” she said in an interview on Friday.

It takes about two weeks for protection to kick in after vaccination.

Bowdish said rates of flu vaccination for children have been declining since the pandemic and urged parents to get their kids immunized.

“Flu is really, really bad for kids. Super bad for kids with asthma or any other sort of health conditions but even … healthy children need to get a flu shot,” she said.

Bowdish also said people who are pregnant sometimes don’t realize they are a priority group for vaccination against flu and other respiratory viruses.

“Serious respiratory infections — be they COVID, be they flu, be they RSV — during pregnancy can be really problematic both for mom and for baby so pregnant people should absolutely get vaccinated as well to protect themselves and their baby.”

Early data from the Public Health Agency of Canada shows that the H1N1 influenza A type is circulating in parts of the country.

Last year, H3N2 was the dominant influenza A type in Canada.

Bowdish said in general, H3N2 tends to hit older adults and long-term care homes particularly hard, while H1N1 tends to be more serious in children.

But it’s too early to tell whether H1N1 will become the primary strain for this season, she said, noting that the Southern Hemisphere had another H3N2-dominated flu season this year.

RSV

RSV — respiratory syncytial virus — infects almost all children by the time they are two years old, said Dr. Elissa Abrams, a pediatrics specialist and another senior medical adviser for NACI, at the Tuesday online briefing.

Although the symptoms are typically cold-like, RSV can also be very serious as the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in the lungs.

NACI recommends nirsevimab or clesrovimab — ready-made antibodies — be given to all infants during their first RSV season and to high-risk infants during their second respiratory virus season, Abrams said.

The exception is non-high risk infants who got protection from their mothers who were vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy, she said.

Infants who were born prematurely, have cardiorespiratory disease, are immunocompromised, have airway problems or Down syndrome are considered high-risk for serious RSV illness, Abrams said.

Adults age 75 and older are also at higher risk for RSV during respiratory virus season and should be vaccinated, she said.

Adults between 65-74 with the same high-risk health conditions affecting infants, as well as those with neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease or high obesity — as well as long-term care residents, stem cell or lung transplant recipients, people on home oxygen and people on dialysis — should also be vaccinated against RSV, Abrams said.

Right now, high-risk adults just get one lifetime RSV vaccine, as the evidence is not yet clear on whether it should be given each year, she said.

COVID-19

NACI strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination for anyone 65 years of age and older, residents of long-term care, retirement homes, or assisted living.

Because COVID has not established a seasonal pattern solely in the fall and winter, a second dose is recommended each year for people age 80 and older, long-term care residents, people who are immunocompromised and people 65 or older who have underlying medical conditions.

Nicole Forbes, technical lead on COVID-19 for NACI, said in Tuesday’s briefing that age — both old and very young — is the most significant risk factor for getting seriously ill with the virus.

Seniors account for the most COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, she said. The next-highest risk group — even though the rate is much lower — is children under five years of age.

NACI also strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children and adults with complex health needs, people who are pregnant, health-care workers and people from Indigenous or racialized communities.

The immunization advisory committee recommends that anyone six months of age and older could be offered a COVID-19 vaccine – but it’s up to the provinces and territories to decide whether they will publicly fund them for the general public.

This year’s COVID-19 vaccine targets the XFG strain of the coronavirus, a subtype of the Omicron variant.

Bowdish said it is expected to be similar to the other Omicron subvariants in terms of the illness patients experience.

Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are available this year, as well as a non-mRNA protein-based vaccine called Nuvaxovid by Sanofi.

Nuvaxovid can be given to anyone 12 years of age and older.

Moderna’s vaccine, Spikevax, is approved starting at 6 months of age.

Pfizer’s vaccine, Cominarty, can be given starting at 5 years of age.

B.C., Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon Territory have all confirmed that they will be providing COVID-19 vaccines free of charge to anyone who wants it.

Alberta’s website says COVID vaccines will be funded for people at risk based on NACI’s strong recommendation, as well as teachers and people who are homeless.

According to Quebec’s website, the COVID-19 vaccine will be free for people at high risk for serious infection as well as people living in remote and isolated areas.

A spokesperson for Nova Scotia said in an email that the details of its respiratory virus immunization program would be announced soon.

The Canadian Press has not yet been able to confirm the COVID-19 vaccination plans in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

2)Breakouts after 30? Why adult acne happens and how it can be treated

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By Staff, October 12, 2026

Many people associate acne with adolescence, but dermatologists say breakouts are common well into adulthood, particularly among women. While pimples may seem like a cosmetic concern, persistent acne can affect confidence, leave scars and, in some cases, require medical treatment.

For Gillian Maegan Montalbo, acne became more difficult after her teenage years had passed.

As a teenager, her skin problems were relatively mild, limited mostly to a few bumps on her forehead and nose. But once she entered the workforce, breakouts returned and became more severe, appearing on her cheeks and chin.

“It really took a toll on my self-esteem and my self-confidence,” said Montalbo, a marketer and content creator who lives in the Philippines.

Acne is most commonly linked to adolescence, but it can affect adults as well. Breakouts may appear on the face, chest, shoulders and back, a condition often referred to online as “bacne.”

Doctors say treatments vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Even after acne clears, dark spots and scarring can remain for months or years.

“We know how to treat acne. We know the cause of it. So don’t suffer alone,” said Dr. Crystal Aguh, a dermatologist and director of the Ethnic Skin Program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Why adult acne happens

The causes of acne can differ from person to person.

Teenagers often develop acne across the forehead, nose and cheeks. Adults, especially women, are more likely to experience hormonal acne concentrated around the jawline and chin, according to Aguh. Some medications, including steroids, can also trigger breakouts.

Acne develops when pores become clogged with oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. A single pimple may disappear within weeks, but ongoing breakouts that continue to spread are considered a medical condition.

“Essentially, you’re not getting a break from a breakout,” Aguh said.

Genetics, hormones, environmental factors and diet can all play a role. Excessive dairy consumption, for example, may contribute to acne in some people.

Breakouts can take several forms. Some people develop whiteheads and blackheads, while others experience inflamed red bumps or deeper cysts associated with cystic acne.

Treatment options range from drugstore products to prescriptions

Dermatologists strongly advise against picking or popping pimples.

“Everyone wants to pick and squeeze. That will almost always make things worse,” said Dr. Lauren Fine, founder of Fine Dermatology in Chicago.

Picking can push inflammation deeper into the skin, spread acne and increase the risk of permanent marks or scarring. For people with darker skin tones, those marks can linger longer because stressed skin may produce additional pigment.

Treatment options range from over-the-counter washes and creams to prescription medications.

For mild facial acne, dermatologists may recommend products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinoids such as adapalene.

Patients experiencing more persistent breakouts may be prescribed antibiotics or medications containing tretinoin. Severe cystic acne may require isotretinoin if other treatments are unsuccessful.

Adult hormonal acne often requires a different approach than teenage acne. For some women, doctors may prescribe birth control to help regulate hormones or medications such as spironolactone.

Cortisone injections can sometimes reduce active acne flareups quickly, but experts caution they are not a long-term solution.

Pimple patches made with hydrocolloid gel have also become popular. Aguh says they can help absorb fluid from mild breakouts and reduce the temptation to pick at pimples. Fine, however, said some of her patients have experienced skin discoloration from the patches and she generally does not recommend them.

Scars and discoloration can last longer than acne

Even after acne improves, many people continue to deal with dark marks and scars.

Dermatologists say products containing glycolic acid can help fade discoloration. Over-the-counter adapalene products and retinol creams may also improve skin appearance over time.

For more significant scarring, doctors may recommend laser treatments that target deeper layers of the skin.

Patients should also be prepared to be patient. Finding the right treatment often requires trial and error, and visible improvements can take time. Some people also experience “skin purging” when starting a new treatment, a temporary increase in breakouts as clogged pores are pushed to the skin’s surface.

Recovery goes beyond skin

Montalbo said her acne improved within a year of seeking help from a dermatologist, although acne scars remained.

She credits supportive friends and family with helping her through the most challenging period. Her father, who had also struggled with acne, encouraged her to seek treatment. A close friend who travelled with her during one of her worst flare-ups told her she had never even noticed the acne.

“When you are with the right people, they won’t mind how you look,” Montalbo said. “Because to them, what’s important is how you treat them.”

• with files from The Canadian Press

3) Collingwood hospital adds new SPECT-CT scanner to expand diagnostic imaging

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Staff, October 14, 2026

Collingwood General and Marine Hospital has opened a renovated Nuclear Medicine suite and introduced new SPECT-CT technology to expand its diagnostic imaging capabilities.

The new suite, located in the hospital’s former Foundation space, follows six months of renovations.

The technology combines nuclear medicine imaging with CT scans, allowing clinicians to see how organs and tissues function while also getting detailed images of the body’s anatomy.

Nuclear Medicine suite and new SPECT-CT technology, Siemens Symbia Pro (Image supplied – Collingwood General and Marine Hospital)

The hospital says the system will support a range of clinical applications, including cancer care, cardiac imaging, infection detection and the investigation of inflammatory conditions.

It can help clinicians detect the spread of cancer to bones and lymph nodes, identify infections or inflammation, assess heart function and pinpoint abnormalities.

The system also has full diagnostic CT capabilities and will serve as a backup when the hospital’s main CT scanner is undergoing maintenance.

“This project is about more than bringing new technology to our hospital,” said Michael Lacroix, the hospital’s president and CEO. “It is about ensuring CGMH can keep pace with the needs of our growing region.”

The hospital says the project supports its strategic plan to expand services and improve access to care closer to home.

The CGMH Foundation says donors contributed $1 million toward the equipment.

“The arrival of the SPECT-CT scanner is a testament to the generosity of the people who call South Georgian Bay home,” said Sandra Taylor, president and CEO of the CGMH Foundation.

“We are proud to see the one-million dollars raised in donor support for this equipment translate into tangible improvements in patient care.”