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Japan is dealing with a really early and bad flu season right now, and people are worried. The flu showed up about a month early this year, and it's gotten so bad that hospitals are packed, and over a hundred schools and daycares had to shut down for a bit. Health officials are saying it's a nationwide epidemic.
What's Up With This Year's Flu?
The experts are saying that this year's flu is early, and feels stronger than usual. Professor Yoko Tsukamoto from Hokkaido’s Health Sciences University thinks that travel around the world, people moving around, and the weather might be making the flu viruses adjust and spread faster.
By October 3rd, more than 4,000 people were in the hospital because of the flu. It was four times more than the week before. The places that have been hit hard are Okinawa, Tokyo, and Kagoshima. Some schools had to close after a lot of students got sick.
The Health Ministry is saying that it’s gone beyond the threshold, with more than one patient per hospital.
Who Needs to be the Most Careful?
- Older people
- Little kids
- People who already have other health problems
It's super important for these people to get their flu shots early. Professor Tsukamoto is saying that we should all do the basic things. Get vaccinated, wash your hands a lot, and don't spread germs.
Hospitals Are Feeling the Strain
- Don't go to the hospital if you don't need to
- Go to the doctor early if you start feeling sick
- Think about talking to a doctor online or going to a clinic if you can
What’s Going on Around the World?
It's not just Japan. Flu cases are getting higher in Singapore, Thailand, India, and some places in Europe. Some countries are saying that it’s because of the H3N2 flu, which is kind of like the Hong Kong flu from 1968. The experts think that the flu might be changing around the world because of the weather, travel, and how the viruses are changing.
- Keep things clean. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and don't go to crowded places inside.
- Get a flu shot if you can.
- Keep an eye on your symptoms and go to the doctor early if you need to.
Why is the Flu Coming so Early?
There are a few things that might be causing this:
1. Weather: When it's cold or rainy, people stay inside more, so the flu can spread easier.
2. The Flu is Mutating: The flu viruses, H1N1 and H3N2, are always changing. This means that the shots you got last year might not work as well.
3. Travel: When more people travel, the viruses can spread and adjust faster. Experts are also thinking that really bad weather and climate change could be changing how the flu spreads by changing how people act and how long the virus lasts.
Why Getting Vaccinated is Still Important
- The flu shots can make the flu less bad, even if the viruses change from year to year.
- It's important to get your shot every year, especially if you're one of the people who is at higher risk.
- Scientists are trying to make a universal flu shot that would work for a lot of different viruses for 10 years or more. Dr. Paul Tambyah and other people are saying that the flu viruses change all the time, so you need to get the latest shot every year.
1. Get your flu shot right away, mostly if you're older, young, or have other health conditions.
2. Keep things clean: Wash your hands a lot, cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze, and don't touch your face.
3. Stay home if you're sick so you don't get other people sick, at school or work.
4. Watch the news about the flu in your area and go to the doctor early if you need to.
5. Be careful when you travel: Wear a mask, wash your hands, and don't go to crowded places inside.
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