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Yomiuri ShimbunThe flu is wreaking havoc again this season. Sufficient precautions are necessary.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of influenza patients treated in approximately 5,000 medical facilities rose to 54 per facility during the week of January 14-20.
The increase in the number has not stopped since it exceeded the alarm level of 30 patients the previous week. The number of influenza patients is estimated at 2.13 million across the country, which is close to the level of the previous season, when the flu had peaked in the last decade. Schools were closed and clbades canceled one after the other.
Symptoms of flu include fever of 38 degrees or more, headaches and muscle aches. Children can develop convulsions and impaired consciousness. If you feel a chill, you'd better see a doctor as soon as possible. In many cases, if you take medication and rest for a while, you can recover within a few days.
You absolutely must not go outside when you are in a bad state. The flu virus was detected in a woman who died after falling off a platform at Tokyo Station when she became unstable on her feet. She reportedly complained of her poor health for several days before the fatal incident.
If people with influenza go to work, they will spread the infection to their surroundings. It is essential to raise workplace awareness of precautionary measures, such as the requirement for employees with influenza to take days off immediately.
The influenza virus is transmitted by the inhalation of airborne droplets that spread through coughing and sneezing. In addition, when the virus settles on surfaces such as door handles, it can touch people's fingers and possibly their mouths.
Extra care essential for the elderly
Wearing a mask is an important label to curb the spread of the virus caused by coughing and sneezing. It proves effective in preventing lips from being touched unconsciously by fingers contaminated with the virus. This could be an effective safeguard for students who are preparing for entry exams and who must take all possible precautionary measures against the flu.
Keeping in mind the need to take precautionary measures routinely is more important than anything else. It is advisable to stay well fed and to sleep enough to ensure immunity.
Mbad influenza infections in senior care facilities have become evident since the beginning of this month. Several residents of an elderly care facility in Maebashi City and an elderly facility in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, have died of Pneumonia and other conditions caused by influenza.
The symptoms of influenza tend to worsen in older people whose physical strength decreases. Precautionary measures should be taken with the utmost care, including thorough control of hygiene, restriction of visits and the administration of preventive medications.
A new drug debuted in the spring of last year. Taking one tablet once is considered effective in treating the flu. The new drug should therefore be widely used. Compared to conventional treatments that require five days of medication, the new drug is far superior in terms of convenience.
One of the problems is that the new drug tends to produce resistant viruses more easily than other curative drugs. Resistant viruses complicate the work of medications and prolong the symptoms of the flu. The possibility of resistant viruses spreading widely can not be ruled out.
Physicians must carefully explain to patients the characteristics of the new drug. Pharmaceutical companies are encouraged to collect more data and work to provide accurate information.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, January 26, 2019) Speech
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