Influenza In Singapore

The Ministry of Health has noted an increase in the number of patients attending government polyclinics with symptoms of high fever, sore throat, cough and running nose, associated with headache and general muscle aches, suggestive of an upper respiratory tract infection or influenza.

During the first 3 weeks of this year, the average weekly attendances with "flu"-like symptoms showed a 14% increase compared to the average weekly attendances in 1998. Laboratory surveillance has also shown an increase in the number of positive tests for influenza. The number of cases tested positive for the influenza virus has also increased five-fold during this period, compared with the same period last year.

The influenza A virus was responsible for the majority of cases tested positive so far. The viruses isolated from influenza cases have corresponded to the circulating viruses reported by the World Health Organisation. No new or unusual viruses have been isolated in Singapore so far.

Influenza is an acute viral disease of the respiratory tract, usually presenting with fever, cough, sore throat and running nose. The disease is transmitted by 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 and may occasionally have complications such as pneumonia. In the majority of patients, however, the illness is self-limiting and patients recover within a week.

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.