FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INFLUENZA

 

Question 1: What is Influenza?

Influenza is a disease caused by the influenza virus that infects the respiratory tract. It can cause mild or serious infection symptoms. In certain circumstances, it can be life-threatening for the infected individual. For countries with a temperate climate, outbreaks often occur during the winter while for tropical countries along the Equator (including Malaysia), outbreaks occur throughout the year without following a specific season.
 

Question 2: What are the Symptoms of Influenza?

Usually, the symptoms of influenza begin 1 or 2 days after being infected, and they include:

• Fever
• Common cold
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Body ache
• Hard to breathe
• Diarrhea and abdominal pain (especially in children) 

Influenza virus infection often only causes mild symptoms of infection in most people who have a good level of immunity.

Question 3: How is Influenza Transmission?

Influenza spreads from one infected individual to another through respiratory droplets when talking, coughing or sneezing. These droplets can contaminate surfaces and cause infection to individuals who touch the surface.

Question 4: Who is at High Risk of Influenza?

• Children under 5 year old
• Pregnant women
• Senior citizens aged 65 and above
• Individuals with chronic diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, etc.)
• Obese individuals
• Individuals with low immunity (such as cancer patients, HIV patients, patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, etc.)  

Question 5: Is There a Specific Treatment for Influenza? 

In general, there are effective treatments to treat influenza infection, where one of the treatment options is to use anti-viral drugs; which is subject to the results of the examination conducted by the treating Medical Officer. Prompt treatment is very important to avoid complications of the disease.

Question 6: How to Prevent Influenza?

The best way to prevent influenza infection is to get an annual vaccination for individuals 6 months of age and older at most private health facilities. 

Apart from getting the influenza vaccine, other preventive measures that can be practiced are as follows:

• Practice a high level of personal hygiene such as washing your hands frequently using soap and water or hand sanitizer;
• Practice good cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, either by using a tissue or a face mask;
• Dispose of tissues or mouth and nose masks (face masks) in a closed trash bin immediately after they are used;
• Distance yourself from symptomatic individuals, at least within 1 meter;
• Rest at home and avoid visiting crowded places if you have symptoms. If you need to go to a public place, use a face mask.

Question 7: Why should the Influenza Vaccine be taken Annually?

The influenza vaccine must be taken annually because the influenza vaccine formulation must be updated based on the recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that its content matches the influenza virus that is projected to be contagious each season. This is due to changes that occur in the structure of the influenza virus continuously and this process is known as antigenic drift.

Prepared by:
Ministry of Health Malaysia
January 2020

 

 

Date of Input: 23/07/2022 | Updated: 25/07/2022 | s_syazana