“Many people still think the flu is nothing to worry about, that it is only a concern in cold climates. Even when they do get sick, they think it will be mild and they will recover in a few days.
“Thankfully, most people do recover well without any complications, but there are some who don’t fare so well, as recent articles demonstrate,” said Dr James Koh Kwee Choy, a professor of internal medicine and infectious diseases.
According to him, symptoms of influenza include a very high fever that comes on quickly – “a person can be fine one day and have high fever the next” – followed by body aches, sore throat, and sometimes shortness of breath. These symptoms happen within 24-48 hours.
Koh stressed that those with accompanying symptoms such as restlessness, agitation, and signs of confusion should see a doctor immediately. “Another easily missed warning sign is vomiting, as this is more often associated with food poisoning,” he added.
Among children, the signs can be slightly different. “Children can deteriorate very quickly, become very quiet or sleepy, and get dehydrated easily. They may also make noises while breathing that aren’t normal, which could indicate low blood oxygen levels.”
He cautioned that one should not wait for these signs to appear before seeing a doctor, especially those who fall into the high-risk category, such as pregnant women and children below age five.
“Adults with comorbidities such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease should also seek medical treatment immediately, as these factors increase the risk of complications.”
Protecting yourself
Koh highlighted that vaccines are the most effective way to prevent influenza and should be taken annually to safeguard against current strains, as well as to protect against serious and potentially fatal complications.
One such complication is pneumonia, the leading cause of death among Malaysians in 2023, overtaking coronary heart disease for the first time in 20 years.
“Unfortunately, there is low awareness among Malaysians that influenza can be deadly and, therefore, little motivation to protect themselves. In addition, Malaysia does not have clear seasons during which influenza cases spike; instead we have sporadic outbreaks that are unpredictable,” Koh said.
“Furthermore, it takes around two weeks for immunity to develop. So, those who only take the vaccine during an outbreak are still vulnerable to infection during this window.”
This, Koh emphasised, is why annual flu vaccinations are important. “Remember, everyone is at risk as influenza doesn’t pick and choose,” he concluded.