Source: CNA
SINGAPORE : There has been a spike in the number of people getting flu jabs and anti-viral treatments in the last month.
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SINGAPORE : There has been a spike in the number of people getting flu jabs and anti-viral treatments in the last month.
But doctors say it is a panic reaction to avoid falling sick during Lunar New Year.
The Singapore Primary Care Respiratory Group says the current influenza A or H1N1-2009 is a relatively new strain, so its symptoms appear more severe.
Dr Tan Tze Lee, chairman of the Singapore Primary Care Respiratory Group, said: "There is no need for alarm as it's generally mild.
"(In our experience, the) H1N1-2009 tends to affect certain groups of people more seriously than others and these patients would be younger than two years of age, elderly folks, pregnant women and people with chronic disease.
"So if you belong to any of these groups and your symptoms are getting more serious, please see your family doctor early."
The Health Ministry says there has been a 13 per cent increase in patients seeking treatment for flu and related illness at polyclinics within a week this month.
There were 20,702 such cases at the end of last week.
Most people recover with rest and treatment, but flu can lead to pneumonia or even death in serious cases.
GlaxoSmithKline, manufacturer of relenza - an anti-viral inhalant to treat flu symptoms, said sales increased significantly in the last eight weeks, compared to the whole of last year.
The Singapore Primary Care Respiratory Group says the current influenza A or H1N1-2009 is a relatively new strain, so its symptoms appear more severe.
Dr Tan Tze Lee, chairman of the Singapore Primary Care Respiratory Group, said: "There is no need for alarm as it's generally mild.
"(In our experience, the) H1N1-2009 tends to affect certain groups of people more seriously than others and these patients would be younger than two years of age, elderly folks, pregnant women and people with chronic disease.
"So if you belong to any of these groups and your symptoms are getting more serious, please see your family doctor early."
The Health Ministry says there has been a 13 per cent increase in patients seeking treatment for flu and related illness at polyclinics within a week this month.
There were 20,702 such cases at the end of last week.
Most people recover with rest and treatment, but flu can lead to pneumonia or even death in serious cases.
GlaxoSmithKline, manufacturer of relenza - an anti-viral inhalant to treat flu symptoms, said sales increased significantly in the last eight weeks, compared to the whole of last year.
