Infection Control and Public Health Guidelines
Use this table to help determine if you or a family member has a cold or the flu.
Determine if symptoms relate to a cold or the flu
Symptom
Cold
Flu (influenza)
Fever
Rare...
A bite from any animal can be serious and should be examined by a health professional. Prompt treatment can help to prevent infection or more serious illness. A wound should be thoroughly washed and flushed with running water and then an antiseptic can...
Cannabis use is a personal choice but should be an informed choice. Know the laws and approach cannabis responsibly.
Visit justthefactspei.ca for the information you need to make the right call on cannabis.
Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. This information may be useful for someone who is recovering at home or caring for someone with COVID-19.
Prevent the spread
Stay home, except to get medical...
The Chief Public Health Office provides direction and guidance on the management and control of communicable diseases in Prince Edward Island. The following policies and guidelines contain information for health care providers regarding the prevention,...
Rapid antigen tests are a valuable tool that can be used to assess and monitor for COVID-19 infection. Self-test kits use a shallow swab to collect samples from the throat and nose and can provide results in as little as 15 minutes.
If you have tested...
More information for people who tested positive with COVID-19 can be found here.
If you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, find more information here.
Why should I self-isolate?
Self-isolation is...
During and after an extended power outage, food you normally keep in the refrigerator or freezer may become unsafe to eat. Bacteria can build up in perishable foods and may cause foodborne illness
The following food safety practices may help make sure...
I’m positive for COVID-19. What should I do next?
Stay home when ill.
Staying home when you are sick lowers the chance of spreading COVID-19 and other illness to others. You should stay home until:
your symptoms have been improving for at least...
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by a bite from an infected blacklegged (deer) tick (Ixodes scaplularis). Ticks attach to the skin and feed on blood. A tick carrying Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that can cause Lyme disease can...
Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The virus can be transmitted from animals to humans and between humans.
Animal-to-human transmission may occur by bite or scratch, or through the preparation of bush meat. Mpox is transmitted by...
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a very common virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting in humans. Noroviruses are named after the original Norwalk virus and Norwalk-like viruses. The viruses are very small and often difficult to detect. Noroviruses are...
What is pertussis (Whooping Cough)?
Pertussis is a respiratory infection in the lungs and throat caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria.
Pertussis occurs worldwide and in Canada, including in PEI, there may be individual cases or outbreaks of...
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot properly use the insulin that is released.
Am I at risk for developing type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes can occur...
What is rotavirus?
Rotavirus is a common virus that causes a mild to severe diarrhea in humans. Infants and young children in childcare centres and children’s hospitals are most often infected. The virus is also a common cause of diarrhea in the elderly...
Drinking is a personal choice. If you choose to drink moderate your drinking by following these tips:
Set limits for yourself and stick to them.
Drink slowly. Have no more than 2 drinks in any 3 hours.
For every drink of alcohol, have one non-...
What is shigellosis?
Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. The disease itself is commonly referred to as dysentery. People are the only source for Shigella bacteria. Shigella are extremely infectious...
Communicable diseases are diseases that can be spread from one person to another and cause a large number of people to get sick. They are caused by germs like bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites or toxins. Germs that may cause communicable diseases are...
Health Promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health.
Health Promotion is strongly linked to the global challenge of non-communicable disease, also known as chronic disease. It situates health as a...