Influenza (flu) is a respiratory virus which is highly contagious.Influenza, commonly known as the "flu", is a contagious viral disease that can affect anyone, including healthy people. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs), causing inflammations there.
It can be spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. The flu viruses are transmitted into the air through droplets, and other people can be infected when they breathe in the viruses. When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing influenza symptoms. The viruses can also be spread indirectly when a person touches a surface with flu viruses on it (for example, a doorknob) and then touches his or her nose or mouth. Transmission can also occur when an infected person shares food with others during mealtime without a serving spoon. Flu is usually a more severe condition than the common cold. The disease can be deadly to some people who develop life-threatening complications like pneumonia (infection of the lungs).
Recent news reported 53 Nanyang Primary students down with flu symptoms; the school switches to home-based learning for some classes. The Ministry of Health (MOH) said that as of Jan 31, 12pm, 55 cases from Nanyang Primary School were "verified to have acute respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat".
"Based on available information from the school, none of the cases has tested positive for COVID-19, and some have tested positive for influenza," the ministry added.
Influenza Symptoms and Signs
Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly, and symptoms include high fever, sore throat, coughing, headache, muscle aches, and stuffy nose. Other symptoms may include sneezing, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, chills, and stomach symptoms.
Complications
A severe case of influenza can lead to pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and other complications such as bronchitis (inflammation of the lungs), sinusitis (infection of the nasal passages), ear infection and meningitis (inflammation of the lining that covers the brain).
Who is more likely to develop complications from an influenza infection?
Persons who get the flu virus may have different reactions to the illness. Some groups of people are at high risk to develop complications which could lead to death. Older people, young children, people with a weakened immune system, or those with heart and lung diseases are more likely to develop serious complications due to a flu infection.
Prevention
There are many ways to prevent the spread of flu and to protect yourself against this infection. Assess the situation you are in. Do you or your household members belong to the group at-risk of developing influenza-related complications? Are you regularly exposed to those at risk of complications from flu? An annual flu vaccine is the best protection for you against the flu.
Additionally, everyone can practise healthy habits, good personal hygiene and be socially responsible.
Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before touching your eyes, nose or mouth and after going to the toilet. While soap and water is the best choice, when it is not available you can follow the same handwashing steps using a Hand Sanitiser.
The jMedGuard® Foami Foami™ Long-lasting Advanced Hand Sanitiser produces an antimicrobial foam that kills germs at application and continues to protect your hands persistently. Use this to sanitise your hands once in the morning and be protected the whole day. Suitable for the whole family including infants and pregnant women.
On top of that, apply jMedGuard® Standard™ Self-disinfecting Coatings which can last for more than 90 days upon application, arming surfaces with the ability to continuously self-disinfect and reduce pathogenic viruses and germs on high-touch points, or areas with frequent touch interactions such as railings, phones, floors and even children's toys.
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