HEALTH authorities are urging residents to guard themselves against the flu virus as its activity increases.

Kang Min, head of Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Institute for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, reminded that the province’s summer flu season has hit its peak.

The Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention has also issued an alert that the city’s risk level for flu is medium between today and Tuesday.

According to the provincial CDC, in recent years, Guangdong’s flu activity peaks in winter and spring, and in summer, as different flu viruses alternately circulate.

Based on the provincial monitoring data from May 30 to June 5, the number of patients with flu-like illnesses reached 7.29% in outpatient visits, indicating that on average, 7 out of 100 outpatients had fever over 38 degrees Celsius accompanied by flu symptoms such as cough or sore throat.

The provincial influenza virological surveillance results also showed that the dominant influenza strain in Guangdong currently is the influenza A virus subtype H3N2.

Influenza, or flu, is a contagious respiratory infection caused by flu viruses. There are two main types of human flu viruses: types A and B.

Flu viruses spread mainly in respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, and also through contact with mucous membranes of a patient’s eyes, mouth or nose. Contact with items contaminated by the virus can also cause infection.

Studies have shown that one sneeze from a flu patient can produce droplets that can travel up to 8 meters, which can contain about 260,000 flu viruses.

Major flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, chills, fatigue and appetite loss. Some children may also experience vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Most patients’ body temperature would gradually subside after onset of 3-4 days. Their systemic symptoms would improve, but their cough would last for 1-2 weeks.

Citizens are advised to take daily precautions such as covering nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, washing hands frequently and avoiding contact with flu patients. Vaccination is the most effective means to prevent flu, which can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.

(Zhang Yu)