While cases of influenza-like illnesses were lower this year compared to last year, the public is still urged to isolate themselves should they exhibit symptoms to avoid spreading the infection, which can become severe and lead to hospitalization.
‘When you look at this type of infection, we sometimes think. it’s just a fever. But sometimes it can lead to what we call severe acute respiratory infection,’ Dr. Rontgene Solante, chair of the adult infectious diseases section at San Lazaro Hospital, said during a forum on Tuesday.
According to Solante, a person 5 years old and above may have a severe acute respiratory infection if they have a history of fever with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, while also suffering from coughs, with an onset of within the last 10 days.
He warned that once a person has a severe infection, he or she may find it difficult to breathe and may have to be hospitalized. Based on data from the Department of Health shared by Solante, a total of 15,868 cases of severe acute respiratory infections have been recorded in the country this year as of September 27, which is lower than the 24,032 cases reported the previous year.
Solante also pointed out that influenza A, which is the most commonly detected pathogen for influenza-like illnesses, can also lead to severe viral pneumonia and cardiovascular complications, such as heart attacks. Another cause of influenza-like illnesses, the respiratory syncytial virus, may also lead to an exacerbation of chronic respiratory or cardiac insufficiency, Solante added.
‘Those with asthma or [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], you might be asking why your asthma isn’t going away.[or] I’m taking my maintenance [medicine] but my condition is still the same, you might be having [respiratory syncytial virus],’ he said.
According to Solante, those who are most vulnerable to severe infections are children, the elderly, people with comorbidities and pregnant women. He urged people who are exhibiting symptoms of influenza-like illnesses to take a rest, isolate themselves and wear a mask in order to avoid infecting vulnerable members of the population.
Should vulnerable individuals become infected with influenza-like illnesses, Solante said they should be closely monitored and taken to the doctor if their symptoms become worse.
‘If you’re still coughing after five to seven days, you’re experiencing difficulty in breathing and you still have a fever, don’t wait for your fever to last for seven or eight days. Go to the doctor,’ he said. ‘It might be too late when you go to the doctor, and there would not be medication that can be given to you,’ he added.