Be prepared for flu season, public urged

MANILA, Philippines – The worst pandemic of the 20th century occurred in 1918. It started out as relatively mild and its spread was hardly noticed.

But within 18 months, it killed an estimated 100 million people and has spread in almost every part of the world.

It’s what every health body in the world is hoping to prevent from ever occurring again.

That is why when Influenza A(H1N1) started spreading last month, alarms were raised and authorities have been extremely cautious in the monitoring and containment to prevent this new strain of flu from ever becoming a large-scale flu pandemic.

“One of the main reasons that always kept everyone on their toes is that the Influenza A(H1N1), like all flu viruses, is constantly mutating and keeps on evading any natural immunity that our body develops to it,” explained Dr. Cecilia Montalban, president of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Best defense

Because the flu is such a fast-moving target, our best defense, according to Montalban, is the flu vaccine, which is changed every year to include the forms of the virus that are expected to be most dominant during the upcoming flu season.

“While the seasonal vaccine may not be effective against the new Influenza A(H1N1), getting the shot is still worthwhile because by protecting oneself against other strains of the flu one is far less likely to have the disease and be debilitated should one contracts the new virus as well,” Montalban said.

Considering that the Philippines is nearing the peak of its flu season (which arrives in June), the flu shot may be able to prevent the possibility of mixing seasonal flu virus strains with a new one that could potentially turn into a pandemic type of flu strain.

Especially dangerous

Whether the seasonal flu or the Influenza A(H1N1), infection is especially dangerous to young children, the elderly and other high risk individuals who could develop deadly complications such as bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions like if one has congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

Most people who contract the flu will feel tired and have high fever, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and sore muscles. Some people, especially children, may also have stomach problems and diarrhea. Cough could last two or more weeks.

“Flu virus is easily spread as people cough and sneeze. But even those who have not yet exhibited symptoms may spread the virus from one day before getting sick to up to a week after getting sick,” Montalban said.