Despite suffering from fever and body ache, she had not bothered to rest. The 38-year-old Singaporean continued to work hard and even travelled abroad for business meetings.
Feeling sicker than ever from the flu, she finally consulted a specialist, only to realise that the bug had affected her overall health. It took six months for her to recover.
Many of us mistake the flu for the common cold. Colds and the flu have so much in common that it can sometimes be hard to tell them apart.
But the flu is a more severe condition than the common cold and deserves special care.
What is the Flu?
Influenza (or flu) is a respiratory illness that is highly contagious and can affect anyone, including healthy people.
Flu can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, ear infection, meningitis (inflammation of the lining that covers the brain) or even death.
Symptoms of Flu
For both adults and children, symptoms of the flu may include:
Who Is Most at Risk of Flu?
Some people are more likely to get flu complications that can result in hospitalisation and serious illness. Also, flu can make chronic health problems worse.
When it comes to keeping yourself healthy, prevention is always better than cure.
Flu vaccination remains the best protection against this condition.
Young children are at high risk of developing complications from the flu. Thankfully, kids as young as six months can be vaccinated. Vaccination is recommended for children less than five years old to avoid flu-related complications such as pneumonia.
What You Need to Know About the Flu Vaccine in Singapore
Remember to consult your doctor before getting vaccinated. Not everyone is suitable for flu vaccination.
It is also recommended to get a flu vaccination EVERY YEAR as flu viruses are constantly changing, and your body’s immunity to influenza viruses may decline over time. Thus, getting vaccinated every year provides the best protection against the various strains of influenza. It is especially recommended for those who fall in the high-risk group.
Are You Ready to F.I.G.H.T Those Germs?
Health Promotion Board encourages these 5 F.I.G.H.T. steps to prevent the spread of flu and other infectious diseases.
For more information, visit fightthespread.sg
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