About influenza (seasonal influenza)

From the 36th week of 2024 (September 2-September 8), it has become a new season for influenza (2024/2025).
It is important for each person to take infection prevention measures as soon as possible.

"Influenza" is an infectious disease that causes symptoms such as fever and sore throat when infected with the influenza virus.
There are three types of influenza viruses: type A, type B, and type C. Of these, influenza viruses that cause seasonal influenza are mainly type A and type B.
It is often treated with drugs against influenza virus. In addition to medicine treatment, sufficient rest is also important.
In the case of seasonal influenza, vaccination before the epidemic can prevent the onset and severity of the disease.

The following symptoms begin 1 to 3 days after infection with the virus. In many cases, it recovers in one to two weeks, but symptoms are more likely to appear throughout the body than normal cold, with children, the elderly, people with reduced immunity, heart, kidney, respiratory organs, etc. It can be severe in people with illness and pregnant people. In addition, some of them may become severe and lead to death.

• Sudden heat, cold air
• Cough, runny nose, sore throat
• Headache
• Pain in the body such as joints and muscles
• Fatigue feeling

Minors may cause convulsions, abnormal behaviors, and abnormal behaviors, and require careful monitoring.
Elderly people often exhibit only low-grade fever or prolonged respiratory symptoms without typical symptoms (high fever and general malaise).
Influenza-related deaths are common in older people.

There are various complications, from relatively mild ones such as otitis media to serious ones that require hospitalization such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and myocarditis. In addition, people with chronic diseases such as the heart, kidney, respiratory organs may worsen their condition. In some cases, sequelae may remain or lead to death.
Infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with reduced immunity are particularly susceptible to the disease, so it is important to prevent them from getting the flu.

The virus is contained in the fine splashes (splashes) that occur when talking, sneezing or coughing, and nearby people suck the splash into the mouth and nose and become infected with the virus. (splash infection)
A person who touches such a splashed object by hand may touch his mouth or nose with his hand and become infected with the virus. (contact infection)
Frequent hand washing with soap and cough etiquette are also effective in preventing influenza.

Influenza can excrete the virus for about a week of onset and infect other people. Especially for infants and those with reduced immunity, the period during which the virus is excreted may be slightly longer. If you have the flu, take a break and reduce the chances of meeting people.
In addition, according to the School Health and Safety Law, the standard for the suspension period is "5 days after the onset and 2 days (3 days for infants) from the day after the fever drops."

Influenza vaccination can prevent the disease from becoming more severe.

• If you are over 6 months old, you can get an influenza vaccine if your doctor determines that you can get it.
• Those aged 65 and over, and those aged 60 to 64 who have a disability equivalent to the first grade in heart, kidney, respiratory and immune function are eligible for regular vaccination.
• Elderly influenza Vaccinations (Yokohama City Public Health Center)
• In this season, when the epidemic started early, it is possible to give a second vaccination as a voluntary vaccination after consulting with your doctor.　※All vaccinations will be borne by you.

Especially if a minor or the elderly think that you may have had the flu, be sure to consult a medical institution.
If you see signs of illness, consult a medical institution as soon as possible.

• When you breathe fast and feel painful
• When water or diet is not available and symptoms of dehydration appear (more than half a day, no urine, etc.)
• When there is no response to a convulsion or call
• When repeating abnormal behavior or abnormal behavior
• When symptoms are prolonged and worsened

• I have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• I have a pain in my chest
• When symptoms are prolonged and worsened
• Especially in the case of elderly people, when they have low fever or prolonged respiratory symptoms, when they are not well and are loose.

• Let's take a good rest and prepare an environment where you can drink water.
• Take the prescribed medicine as instructed. (Even after the symptoms improve, the virus remaining in the body may be transmitted to other people.)
• Let's wear a mask if you are in touch.
• Let's share the room you spend with others as much as possible.
• If you are pregnant or have a chronic illness, avoid contact as much as possible.
• After nursing, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• Ventilate the room by opening the window several times a day.

• Yokohama City entered the influenza epidemic season on October 31, 2024.
• Trends in Yokohama City (Influenza epidemic information)
  Yokohama City Inst. of Health regularly updates the epidemic situation in the city.
• Trends in the whole country (outside site)
  The National Institute of Infectious Diseases regularly updates the outbreak status of influenza nationwide.

This is a flyer for infection control at the facility.

• "To prevent the spread of infection at facilities (medical institutions, facilities for the elderly, etc.)" (PDF: 435KB)Created in September 2023 (Yokohama City Public Health Center)
• "To prevent the spread of infection at facilities (childcare and educational facilities, schools, etc.)" (PDF: 401KB)Created in September 2023 (Yokohama City Public Health Center)

• Influenza (General page) (outside site)(Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
  • Occurrence (Related press release materials) (external site)
  • Q & A (outside site)
• What is influenza (outside site)(National Institute of Infectious Diseases)
• Seasonal (outside site)（WHO）

• About new influenza
• About highly pathogenic avian influenza

• Weekdays from 8:45 to 17:00 ...Health and Welfare Center Health and Welfare Division Health Promotion Section
• Outside of the above hours ...Emergency call dial for infectious diseases and food poisoning