SINGAPORE – Although influenza – better known as flu – is a common illness that most people recover from without treatment, it can result in life-threatening or even deadly complications.
On Feb 3, news broke that Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu, who had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, had died after she caught influenza-related pneumonia during a holiday in Japan.
The 48-year-old actress was best known for her role in the 2001 drama Meteor Garden.
Here are some things to know about influenza viruses, symptoms and potential complications, and how you can protect yourself from them.
What are the different types of influenza viruses?
Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, which are different from those that cause a cold. Cold viruses attack the nose and throat, leading to inflammation that could cause a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat and a cough.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are around one billion cases of seasonal influenza each year, with three to five million cases being classified as severe.
There are four types of influenza viruses: types A, B, C and D.
The Ministry of Health’s (MOH) website states that the most common influenza viruses that spread in Singapore and globally are Influenza A (H1N1-2009), Influenza A (H3N2) and Influenza B.
Only Influenza A viruses have been known to cause pandemics, said WHO, while Influenza C viruses are not commonly detected and usually cause mild infections.
Influenza D viruses mainly affect cattle and are not known to spread to humans.
What are the symptoms of influenza?
According to MOH, a person who has contracted influenza might have the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Mu...