Protect Yourself from the Flu: Expert Recommendations
The transition from the rainy season to winter is the peak time for illness. The hot and humid afternoons followed by rainy nights create the perfect environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive. Flu-like diseases are common during this season, affecting people of all ages. While some cases may present with mild symptoms that resolve on their own, others can be severe and even lead to complications, especially in high-risk groups. According to the Department of Disease Control, over 200,000 Thai people have already been infected with the flu in 2023, with no sign of decline. To shed light on flu symptoms, dangers, and prevention, we spoke with Dr. Kornthat Achirunjikorn from the Internal Medicine Center and Dr. Suthida Chinthanet from the Pediatric Center at Wimut Hospital.
Beware of Severe Flu Symptoms
The flu, caused by the influenza virus, can result in symptoms far more serious than a common cold. Dr. Kornthat Achirunjikorn explains that patients may experience typical cold symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose, but they can also have severe symptoms like high fever, chills, intense coughing, debilitating headaches, body aches, excessive mucus, and nasal congestion. Some individuals may even struggle with shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.
Preventing the Spread of the Flu
Living with sick individuals increases the risk of contracting the flu. To minimize this, Wimut Hospital doctors recommend simple preventive measures such as maintaining personal hygiene, including washing hands frequently, using serving spoons when sharing food, and wearing face masks when in close proximity to sick individuals. Such precautions significantly reduce the chances of flu transmission.
Protecting Young Children
Children, especially those under the age of 9, are more prone to severe flu symptoms and complications. Dr. Suthida Chinthanet highlights the importance of vaccinating young children starting from 6 months old to alleviate the severity of the symptoms and reduce the potential risks associated with flu. The flu vaccine can be administered annually, as it is designed to combat the different strains of the virus that emerge each year. For adults, who may have missed out on previous vaccinations, a single flu shot can provide protection without the need for multiple injections.
While the flu vaccine doesn’t offer full immunity, it helps the body build resistance against the virus and its mutations, improving outcomes for those infected. It can be administered alongside other vaccines, although caution should be exercised to ensure proper diagnosis in case of any allergic reactions. Individuals with severe allergies to the flu vaccine, multiple sclerosis triggered by the vaccine, or severe egg allergies should refrain from getting vaccinated.
“Flu is a serious threat, particularly for high-risk groups like children who are more susceptible to severe symptoms. However, we can mitigate this risk by practicing good hygiene and getting vaccinated annually. For parents, early vaccination for children starting from 6 months helps build a lasting defense against the flu virus,” concludes Dr. Suthida Chinthanet.
For further consultation or appointment booking at Wimut Hospital, please visit the Center for Internal Medicine on the 3rd floor or call 02-079-0030 between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm. In case of emergencies, dial 02-079-0191 or reach out to the Pediatric Center on the 3rd floor at 02-079-0038 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. Alternatively, you can avail the Telemedicine service for online consultations via the ViMUT Application.
The period between the end of the rainy season and the beginning of winter is when we are most likely to get sick. Because of the changing weather The afternoons are hot and full, and the nights are rainy. Also, the humidity and the wind often carry bacteria and viruses that can easily make us sick .Diseases that are popular during the rainy season are inevitable for people of all ages. ‘General flu’ which usually has mild symptoms and goes away on its own within a few days. But if anyone is unlucky enough to come across the virus ‘flu’ must be very sick with flu-like symptoms but much more severe. Especially in high risk groups who may have complications. Most recently, the Department of Disease Control revealed that more than 200,000 Thai people have been infected with the flu in 2023 and that there is no tendency for it to decrease because Thai people do not get it yet. ‘Immunity’ for flu today, Dr Kornthat Achirunjikorn, internal medicine for hematology Internal Medicine Center and Dr. Suthida Chinthanet, paediatrician, specialist in respiratory diseases in children The Pediatric Center at Wimut Hospital will explain the symptoms and dangers of flu. Ready to recommend prevention guidelines so that everyone can live a healthy and safe life at the end of this year.
The symptoms of ‘flu’ are many times more serious than the common flu!
Influenza is caused by the body coming into contact with a virus called “Influenza” (influenza), which has 4 strains that cause disease in humans The disease can be transmitted by touching secretions that contain the flu virus, such as eating food with sick people without using a serving spoon and talking closely with patients, etc. by Dr Kornthat Achirunjikorn, internal medicine for blood diseases Internal Medicine Center Describe flu symptoms that “Patients will have symptoms similar to’ the common cold, such as fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose, but they will also have other serious symptoms such as high fever, chills, coughing so hard they can’t sleep, severe headache, body aches, lots of mucus, stuffy nose . Some people may also experience shortness of breath, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.”
Far away from ‘influenza’ easily on our own
Influenza virus infection often happens easily when we live with sick people. What if family members or friends at work are infected The virus can easily spread to people around you Doctors at Wimut Hospital recommend simple methods of prevention, including maintaining hygiene using the guidelines ‘eat hot food, use a serving spoon, wash your hands’ as well as wearing a face mask when you are close. sick people. It will help reduce the risk of flu infection.
A toddler has serious symptoms! Doctors recommend that parents take them for vaccinations starting at 6 months.
“The severity of the flu varies. Some people may have very severe symptoms or complications such as pneumonia and myocarditis. and encephalitis This often occurs in people at risk, namely young children, the elderly, and people with congenital diseases,” said Dr. Suthida Chintanet, a pediatrician, a doctor who specializes in respiratory diseases in children. He said and added, “In children, it is considered painful. Because there will be a high fever of 39 – 40 degrees Celsius for 3 – 4 days in a row, there may also be chills. Some people may experience fatigue. Muscle pains, loss of appetite, risk of dehydration. This is considered very dangerous and must be closely monitored.”
–Bumrungrad draws attention to the readiness of the ‘Gastrointestinal and Liver Centre’ to provide comprehensive and accurate diagnosis and treatment on the spot.
with severe symptoms in young children Parents should therefore take the flu vaccine early in order to ease the burden. Reduce severe symptoms when you are sick with the flu. “Vaccines can be started from 6 months of age and should be given annually because every year the vaccine is always developed according to the mutations of the flu virus. For children younger than 9 years old, in the first year of starting the vaccine, 2 injections will be needed, 1 dose each time, 1 month apart. But for adults who have not received the flu vaccine for many years, they can receive the flu vaccine without an injection. Lots of needles,” explains Dr Suthida Chinthanet.
However, a flu shot does not protect against infection. Because everyone can get the virus at any time. But getting vaccinated helps your body build immunity to fight flu viruses and mutations. Helps patients with mild symptoms Or in some people, they may not show any symptoms. The flu vaccine can be injected together with other vaccines, which must be injected in different locations. And it should be injected two weeks away from other vaccines to make it easier to diagnose if there is an allergic reaction to the vaccine. The group that should not get the flu vaccine includes people who have a severe allergic reaction to the flu vaccine. People who have had multiple sclerosis after receiving the vaccine and those with severe egg allergies
“Flu is a serious threat that we should not ignore. Especially in high risk groups such as children who will have more severe symptoms than others. But we can prevent this by maintaining good hygiene and getting the flu vaccine to boost our immunity every year. Those with children can take them to receive the vaccine starting after 6 months to build immunity early to be able to fight the flu virus in the long term.” Suthida Chinthanet Dr Concluding remarks
Those interested would like to consult a doctor at Wimut Hospital. You can contact us on the 3rd floor of the Center for Internal Medicine. Or call to make an appointment on 02-079-0030 between 7:00 am – 8:00 pm or you can call an emergency vehicle on 02-079-0191 and the Pediatric Center, 3rd floor, at 02-079-0038 from 8: 00 am – 8:00 pm or use the Telemedicine service, consult a doctor online via ViMUT Application, click
#Flu #threat #rainy #season #beginning #winter #Doctors #Wimut #Hospital #recommend #young #children #vaccinated #starting #months #build #immunity #ill
