While the national influenza situation has not “exceeded the alert level,” a health expert urged the public to continue observing minimum health standards to minimize the spread of the virus. 

"Spread fun, not flu," said Department of Health (DOH) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) Medical Specialist III Dr. Joanne de Jesus-Cornejo as she shared crucial insights on the national situation, prevention, and treatment for influenza during the DOH Kapihan with the media on Oct. 11. 

Cornejo highlighted that even healthy individuals of all ages can contract and transmit the flu. With this, she asked the public to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and practice good hand hygiene. If possible, she said that people should avoid crowded and poorly ventilated places. 

Not out of the ordinary

Despite the presence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and influenza cases, Cornejo said that the national influenza situation has not “exceeded the alert level.” 

"Though for me, parang hindi naman siya masyadong nakakatakot because it's not out of the ordinary na maraming RSV at influenza this month kasi tag-ulan na, so nasa expected seasonality naman siya (For me, it doesn't seem too scary because it's not out of the ordinary to have a lot of RSV and influenza this month since it's the rainy season, so it's within the expected seasonality),” she added. 

However, Cornejo stressed the importance of being vigilant since influenza is a “highly contagious” respiratory disease. Caused by the influenza virus, it primarily affects the nose, throat, and lungs and can manifest as either a mild or severe illness.

Monitoring of cases 

In the Philippines, Cornejo noted that the RITM closely monitored Influenza-like Illness (ILI), characterized by acute respiratory infection with a history of fever or measured fever and cough within the last ten days.

She said that the agency also tracks cases of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), where patients exhibit ILI symptoms and require “hospitalization.”

"In [the] SARI surveillance, we obtain nasal swab specimens from patients to identify viruses that test positive,” Cornejo explained. 

Presenting ILI surveillance data for the Philippines from January to September 2023, Cornejo shared that pandemic influenza (H1N1) was the most common strain at 30 percent, followed by SARS-CoV at 28 percent, Influenza B at 18.3 percent, RSV-B at 4.1 percent, seasonal influenza, and RSV-A at 1.3 percent. 

She also noted: “There are also cases na may co-infection, meaning sa isang specimen, we detected two respiratory viruses (There are also cases of co-infection, which means that in one specimen, two respiratory viruses were detected) and there were increased numbers of respiratory infection and respiratory illness from around August to September.”

Symptoms, risk factors 

Cornejo explained that the common symptoms of influenza include fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. 

The virus spreads through person-to-person contact via droplet transmission, coughing, sneezing, and speaking, she added.

Cornejo highlighted that influenza is “most contagious” within the first three to four days of symptoms, and even children with influenza can remain contagious for up to a week.
Those at risk for influenza include individuals aged 65 and older, pregnant women, young children, asthma sufferers, and those with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, and disabilities, she pointed out.

Prevention, treatment 

For individuals with influenza, Cornejo recommended staying hydrated, consuming nutritious food, limiting contact with others, and observing proper cough etiquette.

"Mainly, ang influenza infection is symptomatic treatment and supportive treatment, so kung ano yung symptoms niyo ay 'yun ang iinuman nyo ng gamot (Mainly, influenza infection is treated with symptomatic and supportive treatment, so you'll take medication based on your symptoms)," she emphasized.

Moreover, Cornejo stressed the importance of annual influenza vaccination for all, starting as early as six months old. 

The health expert also emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe distance, avoiding touching the face, and practicing proper cough etiquette to prevent influenza transmission. (Zekinah Elize Espina)