As the year-end travel season approaches, a familiar health concern is making headlines: a spike in flu cases across Singapore. We often hear doctors’ advice, but many of us still have burning questions about influenza.
To clear up the confusion, we’ve got answers from Dr. Andrew Fang, Doctor Anywhere’s director of medical affairs, to the questions people want to know most about the flu, its prevention, and why being proactive is your best defence.
The Seriousness and Spread of Influenza
Influenza is often mistaken for a simple cold, but it is a serious and highly contagious respiratory infection. While most people recover in about 5 to 7 days, it can be very disruptive to daily routines, especially if it interrupts important events like exams or travel plans. In serious cases, it can lead to complications such as pneumonia and heart attacks, which may sometimes require hospitalisation.
The flu is specifically caused by the influenza virus and usually comes with more severe symptoms, like a high fever and significant body aches, compared to a common cold. Its spread is very contagious, occurring through close proximity via respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces.
The Flu Vaccine: How It Works and Why We Need It Every Year
The influenza vaccine is an effective line of defence. It works by injecting a dead or inactivated form of the virus into the body. This trains your immune system to recognise the virus and build up defences, so that when the live virus enters your body, your immune system is prepared to fight it off, preventing severe symptoms and complications.
The flu vaccine can be up to 60% effective in preventing the infection itself. However, a key benefit is its effectiveness in significantly reducing the risk of complications like pneumonia, even if you do contract the flu.
It’s highly recommended to get a new flu vaccine every year because the influenza virus is constantly evolving. The World Health Organisation (WHO) updates the vaccine every six months to target the most prevailing strains for the upcoming flu season.
Who is Most at Risk?
The most vulnerable groups are the very young and the elderly, as they tend to have lower immunity. Those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart problems, and asthma also have a higher risk of developing complications.
For parents, it’s particularly important to note that children from 6 months to 5 years old are a high-risk group. The same vaccine can be given to both children and the elderly. A proactive step for the whole family can be as simple as getting vaccinated together.
