‘Super flu’ cases in PH now 63—DOH

The number of “super flu” cases in the country has reached 63, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday, noting that all patients have already recovered. 

“Meron na tayong datos ngayon, all the way until December, 63 yung naibilang natin. Lahat po sila ay buhay, lahat sila ay gumaling na,” DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(We now have data up until December, and we have counted 63 cases. All of them are alive, and all have recovered.)

The DOH clarified that “super flu” is a variant of influenza A and is not a new disease.

“Yung super flu kasi, sa totoo lang, hindi naman po siya bago. Siya po ay variant ng Influenza A, trangkaso po ‘yan sa madaling salita. Matagal na po ‘yan umiikot,” Domingo said.

(Truth is, the ‘super flu’ is not new. It is a variant of influenza A—simply put, it is the flu. It has been circulating for a long time.)

“Wala pong pinagkaiba yung sintomas niya sa pangkaraniwang trangkaso—ubo, sipon, lagnat, pananakit ng katawan,” he added.

(Its symptoms are no different from the common flu—cough, colds, fever, and body aches.)

However, the health department noted that while respiratory infections tend to increase during this season, symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat may also be caused by changes in the weather.

“Ang mahalaga pong tandaan, lalo na sa ganitong panahon—Enero sa Pilipinas—kapag nagbago ang panahon, maaaring mairita ang ilong at lalamunan. Kaya nagkakaroon ng sipon at sore throat. Hindi naman nangangahulugan na flu agad,” Domingo said.

(What’s important to remember, especially during this season in January, is that changes in the weather can irritate the nose and throat, causing colds or sore throats. This does not necessarily mean it is already the flu.)

Domingo added that symptoms such as itchy eyes or skin without fever could indicate allergies.

“Kapag hindi naman tayo naglagnat tapos nangangati yung mata natin, pati ibang bahagi ng katawan, maaaring allergy po ‘yan,” he said.

(If there is no fever but the eyes and other parts of the body are itchy, it may be an allergy.)

He also noted that a runny nose accompanied by throat pain or itchiness may still not be “super flu.”

“Kung ang sipon natin ay may kasabay na pananakit o pangangati ng lalamunan, maaaring hindi pa rin ‘yan super flu. Baka iba po ‘yan, dahil may ibang virus na umiikot na mild lang,” Domingo said.

(If a cold is accompanied by throat pain or itchiness, it may still not be super flu. It could be something else, as other mild viruses are also circulating.)

The DOH official also stressed that while wearing face masks is highly encouraged, it does not mean the situation has worsened.

“Huwag nating isipin na dahil sinasabi ng DOH na magsuot ng face mask ay may malaking problema na naman. Ito ay pag-iingat lamang,” Domingo said.

(Let’s not think that just because the DOH advises wearing face masks, there is already a major problem. This is simply a precaution.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News