Hanoi (VNA) – In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, many people are still negligent in flu prevention because they thiᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚnk that COVID-19 and flu are the same, a mistake that can lead to a risk of "overlapping epidemic", as heard at a recent medical conference.

The conference, held by the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine, discussed seasonal influenza and highlighted the importance of vaccinating against preventable infectious diseases given the complicated developments of COVID-19. Associate Professor Cao Huu Nghia, a lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute’s training centre, said anyone can get the flu, and complications from seasonal flu can happen at any age. He noted that seasonal flu complications can cause pneumonia, otitis media, and myocarditis, as well as worsening existing conditions in children and contributing to functional impairment. It can also make it impossible for older adults to fully recover once the infection is over. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), every year, around the world, there are about one billion cases of seasonal flu with three to five million serious illnesses, including 650,000 deaths – equivalent to one person dying from influenza every minute. Most flu-related deaths occur in the elderly aged above 65. WHO said as the COVID-19 pandemic continues developing unpredictably and few people are exposed to seasonal respiratory viruses, the population's immunity will decrease and the risk of an outbreak of influenza may increase significantly. Therefore, receiving an annual influenza vaccination remains very important to ensure the population’s immunity, helping to reduce the risk of getting influenza or both the disease and COVID-19. In addition, flu shots lower the risk of hospitalisation and of overloading the health system, which is under a lot of pressure from COVID-19. They also help reduce the number of deaths from infectious diseases, including influenza and COVID-19. According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, seasonal flu is an acute infectious disease with symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, a runny nose, a sore throat and coughs. The causative agent of the disease is mainly influenza virus strains A (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1), influenza B, and influenza C. The disease is highly infectious, spreading rapidly through saliva droplets or nasopharyngeal secretions caused by sneezing or coughing. The current cold and humid conditions coupled with erratic temperature changes in winter, especially in the northern region, are a breeding ground for the flu virus. It is forecasted that soon, the number of influenza cases may increase nationwide, particularly in the winter-spring season. Influenza is usually mild and the patient recovers within 2-7 days. However, for children and the elderly with weak immunity, especially those with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and anaemia, among others, the disease can become more severe, leading to complications and even death if not detected and treated promptly. Meanwhile, WHO defines coronavirus (COVID-19) as an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illnesses. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age./.