Acute Respiratory Infections & Influenza

05 Nov 2003

Nature of the disease

Acute respiratory infections are commonly caused by viruses, including the influenza virus. These infections present with fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose. The disease is transmitted through the airborne route through droplets or close contact with an infected person. Persons of all ages can be affected but children and the elderly may be more severely affected by influenza and may occasionally have complications such as pneumonia. In the majority of cases, however, the illness is self-limiting and patients recover within a week.

Influenza is a bigger problem in temperate countries especially during winter because of the poorer ventilation indoors as windows are kept shut. The virus is thus more easily spread. In Singapore, influenza occurs all year round with two peak periods, around April to June and November to December, corresponding with the increase in global activity during winters in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres respectively.

Situation in Singapore

The weekly rate of acute respiratory infections seen in the polyclinics in the last three weeks of October 2003 has risen by about 30% compared to the rate in the preceding two months. MOH is closely monitoring the situation, including tests to identify the influenza virus. So far, there has not been a significant rise in the number of influenza cases identified.

MOH's advice

To avoid catching influenza, members of the public, particularly children and the elderly, are advised to avoid visiting crowded places. People can combat influenza by building up their body resistance by having a proper diet with adequate exercise and rest. People who develop influenza-like symptoms should consult their family doctors promptly. Strenuous physical activities like running and jogging should be avoided during the illness until complete recovery.

The Ministry of Health would like to advise travelers, especially older adults going to temperate countries in the Northern Hemisphere to protect themselves against the disease with influenza vaccination. The vaccination should be taken at least 1 to 2 weeks prior to departure as it takes time for the vaccination to take effect. Influenza vaccination is available at the travel clinics in Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Changi General Hospital, polyclinics and General Practitioners.

Persons who develop symptoms of acute respiratory infection are advised not to go to work or school and avoid crowded places to minimize the transmission of the infection to others. They should seek medical attention promptly.

Persons who are at higher risk of developing complications from influenza are also advised to get themselves vaccinated against influenza. These persons include persons aged 65 years or older, persons with chronic heart and lung diseases and persons with diabetes. The public can consult their family doctor for further advice on influenza vaccination.