Second Yearly Flu Season Ongoing In Thailand., Get Your Flu Vaccinations At Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.

Thailand Flu

Typically in Thailand unlike most temperate countries, the flu season comes twice a year once in around January to March and the second during July to October, however for this year, the flu season is expected to start late in October and prolong into the cooler months of December or even merge with the next season.  
According to statistical data, in the first flu season of the year, around 45,000 people were affected and 3 deaths were attributed due to the flu.
 
However, for Thailand’s second flu season, it is expected that more people will be affected and it could be more severe. Why? Well according the virologists from WHO, Influenza is typically caused by three types of influenza virus ie A, B and C, each with a variety of subtypes. Of these, type A, which includes the subtypes H1N1 and H3N2 H1N1pdm09 and type B (B-Yamagata lineage and B-Victoria lineage) are responsible for annual influenza epidemics. Type C, while it can lead to flu, is mostly harmless. But influenza viruses are constantly mutating and new strains appear regularly.
 
For Thailand, typically we have subtypes H1N1 and H3N2 affecting most people with a particular strain of HINI called HINI pdm09 affecting most people. However, virologists are concerned that due to antigenic changes, the HINI pdm09 sub-strain if becoming more virulent. Hence it is recommended that all individuals take better precautions.
 
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. While cold and flu viruses spread rapidly in indoor environments like offices, they can also spread at outdoor work environments. This occurs when they become airborne or contaminates a surface that many people touch, such as the handrail of a sky train.  People who get vaccinated are at lower risk of getting influenza than those who are not. It is also highly recommended that people in high risk group to get vaccinated.
 
The people who are most vulnerable to the influenza virus are the young, elderly, women who are pregnant, and anyone with a compromised immune system. Such as HIV patients. However, any healthy person can contract the flu, become very sick, and spread it to others.
 
Symptoms of the flu are body aches, chills, cough, fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat, and tiredness. However, the flu should not be mistaken for a bad cold. What makes the flu dangerous is that it can lead to other complications such as developing pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, and sinus infections.
 
Keep in mind that influenza is a virus that requires antiviral medication to resolve. Antibiotics do not work against the flu because it is not a bacterial infection.
 
One can protect oneself by practicing good hygienic habits can help stop spread the germs that cause illnesses like the flu. Because the flu virus is spread by physical contact, it is important to give space to someone who is sick and reduce the time spent with them in close quarters.
 
If you are in contact with someone who is sick, wash your hands frequently. Since many germs enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth, making a conscious effort to refrain from touching these areas on your body is a good way to reduce the chance of contracting the flu virus. Regularly disinfecting shared surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, phones, and faucet handles can also significantly reduce the spread of the flu virus.

If you do have the flu, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing. Tissues not only confine the germs and prevent them from going airborne, but they also minimize the germs that get on your hands, which are then easily spread. If possible, stay home when you are sick to reduce the exposure of the flu virus to others.
 
Focusing on one’s health will also keep the influenza virus at bay. Eating healthy, getting adequate sleep, exercising, and minimizing stressful tasks or thoughts are all great health habits that will keep your immune system strong against the flu.
 
Always wear a mask when going out and are in crowded locations and clean your hands regularly.
 
The best protection is however is to have a flu vaccination. It should be done on yearly basis as vaccines are updated frequently in order to be effective.

Flu Vaccination In Thailand 

 
Vaccinations are recommended for all people but it is a must for people who are vulnerable such as individuals aged 65 years or over, individuals aged between 19 to 65 years who have asthma, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, individuals who have to be admitted at least 1 time per year from chronic disease such as diabetes, kidney disease, hematologic condition and also those with a weakened immune system due to disease such as HIV patients or due to medications such as cancer drugs.  
It is best to get vaccinated before influenza begins spreading in the localities. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protects against influenza.

The flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 70% and 90% among the overall population. Although vaccine’s effectiveness can vary depending on who is being vaccinated, factors are age and health, it can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalizations, complications, and mortality rate.
 
Due to the ease of transmission of flu it presents itself as a dangerous threat each year.  To minimize the chances of illness, flu vaccines should be taken every year.
 
This year's vaccine has been tweaked to account for the changes in the H3N2 virus, and the influenza A strain H1N1 has also been updated.
 
Even if you get sick, the vaccine makes your illness less severe. Flu Vaccines can reduce your risk of hospitalization by 50%, and for healthy kids, it can reduce their chance of dying by 80 percent. For kids and some adults who don't like shots, a nasal spray vaccine is available.
 
It's particularly important for people who have chronic heart or breathing conditions to get vaccinated because flu can make these conditions worse.
 
Pregnant women should also get their shot to protect themselves and their baby.
 
If you do get the flu, antiviral medications are available that work against the viruses currently circulating.