Influenza usually called flu, is a respiratory infection caused by a virus, which is a tiny germ that cannot be seen even under an ordinary microscope. There are several kinds of influenza virus, and they seem to keep changing just when we seem to be immune to them. However, they all produce a similar illness.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF INFLUENZA?
The main flu symptoms are:
1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Muscle aches and pains
These may be followed by a sore throat, a cough and a running nose.
HOW IS FLU CAUGHT?
Influenza usually comes in epidemics, when it spreads from person to another in the spray from coughs and sneezes, called droplet infection. The virus enters the nose or throat and may spread to the lungs. It is extremely infectious.
HOW IS FLU DIFFERENT FROM THE COMMON COLD?
Many people refer to the common cold, which is more common, as the flu, but influenza is a more serious respiratory infection that usually makes the victim sick enough to go to bed. Flu tends to go to the chest and makes the whole body ache; the common cold usually only affects the upper respiratory passages, causing a runny nose, sneezing and a sore throat.
Sinopharm COVID-19 & Latest Influenza Vaccines (Protects against Flu and H1N1 Viruses) / Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab & Serology Tests for Travellers, Supervised Antigen Rapid Test (ART) done from your home, Pre-Event COVID Testing and Serology Testing to Certify Vaccination status. Make your Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661 |
Flu Subsidy Scheme eligible for Singaporeans & PRs (Pay subsidized rate of $10 for Consultation and Treatment) & Merdeka Generation /Pioneer Generation seniors (Pay subsidized $5) for patients with Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs). |
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF INFLUENZA?
The main risk of influenza is that the infection may spread to the lungs, causing bronchitis or, worse still, pneumonia. Such complications are rare, and are more likely to occur in people with poor health, especially those with a chest complaint, in the elderly and in heavy smokers.
Although influenza makes people quite ill, it is usually not dangerous. Feeling depressed after the flu is a common problem.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR INFLUENZA?
Like any viral infection, influenza must run its course. Symptoms can be eased and complications prevented by proper care and common sense.
SELF- HELPThe flu will lasts usually 3-4 days, sometimes longer. Consult your doctor only if you are concerned about complications. There is not specific treatment for flu, and routine antibiotics are not helpful. They are reserve for complications. Some people find that taking 1-2 grams of vitamin C each day helps recovery.
WHAT ABOUT FLU PREVENTION?
The influenza vaccine appears to help some people, but vaccinations cannot guarantee total immunity as the strain that sets off the epidemic may be new. Vaccination is worthwhile for patients at risk: diabetics, those over 65 years, and those whose occupation, working with crowds or sick patients, puts them at risk in an epidemic.
Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella). |
Part of MOH's Swab & Go Home programme. Our clinic can carry out the COVID-19 Swab test for anyone who meets the MOH medical criteria. All individuals aged 13 and above, diagnosed with ARI will be COVID Swab-tested. Cost of Swab test to be borne by Ministry of Health Singapore. |
Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).
Asymptomatic patients may not display no symptoms of illness. Vulnerable people should get vaccinated against Influenza as the stop gap until the COVID vaccine is found. The Flu vaccine would protect susceptible people from, as well as exclude the Flu and H1N1 viruses should they start to show URTI or ARI symptoms.
- Latest Influenza Vaccine
The latest Influenza Vaccine is now available. It protects against the Flu and H1N1 Viruses. In the event that a person displays flu-like symptoms after the Flu vaccination, both Flu and H1N1 may be excluded in his diagnosis, and treatment can be sought quickly should the patient have contracted COVID-19.
Ministry of Health Safety protocols are adhered to at all times for the safe vaccination of you and your family.
* Latest COVID-19 Updates & Health Tips
* Importance of Keeping your Vaccinations Up-to-date
Symptom Checker – How COVID-19 Compares with Other Illnesses
Information obtained from CDC & World Health Organization
Do You Belong in any of the Flu High Risk Groups?
Co-infection of COVID-19 with other infectious diseases is possible.
Reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19
Laurie Garrett: What can we learn from the 1918 flu?
In 2007, as the world worried about a possible avian flu epidemic,
Laurie Garrett, author of "The Coming Plague," gave this powerful talk
to a small TED University audience. Her insights from past pandemics are
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Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine in Singapore
Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine is now available @ MD International Medical Centre. Make a Vaccination or Booster Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661. Learn more about Sinopharm here.
Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine has now been approved for use by private clinics in Singapore against the COVID-19 virus under the Special Access Route. It is the first China-made vaccine to be approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
To date, more than a billion doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV have been administered. The vaccine has also been approved for use in over 50 countries around the world.
Inactivated vaccines are a tried-and-tested form of vaccine technology which is used in other well-established vaccines, such as the Flu and Hepatitis B vaccines.
If you would like to receive the Sinopharm vaccine or booster, please make your appointment at MD Int'l Medical Centre at Tel: 6694 1661.
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SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection of Human Organ Tissues through Cell ACE-2 Receptors: |
Ministry of Health Recommendation :
For recovered persons who had not completed a primary series before infection:
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Singapore is free from vaccine-preventable diseases like poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) because of our successful immunisation progamme.
Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella).
National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) Singapore @ MD
International Medical Centre. Make your vaccination appointment at
Tel: 6694 1661.
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MD International Medical Centre
Medical Services available :
Public Health Preparedness Clinic
National University Health System Primary Care Network
Singapore Ministry of Health Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)
The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.
Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.
MD International (Singapore) Pte Ltd
9 Taman Serasi #01-11, Botanic Gardens View
Tel : 65-6694-1661 Fax : 65-6694 1771
Email : contact@mdimc.sg
Clinic hours:
Monday to Friday: 9am-12.30pm / 2pm-6.30pm Saturday: 9.30am-1pm
*Last registration is 30mins before the closing time
Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays
- Cashless service with most International Insurance companies and Insurance Medical cards are accepted
- Japanese & Mandarin-speaking Doctors and Medical staff
Please contact us at Tel: 6694 1661 to make an appointment.
Please make an appointment for the following at Tel: 6694 1661:
* Health Screening / Blood Test
* Supervised COVID ART Test / Pre-Event Test
* Pre-Departure PCR Swab Test / Serology Testing
MBBS (Monash), B Med Sc (Hons) (Monash), Dip Pract Derm (Wales, UK)
The Chiropractic Association Singapore, Japan Chiropractic Register, American Chiropractic Association, California Chiropractic Association
Physiotherapy-trained NBCE The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
YAMAGATA Chihiro 山懸千尋
Registered Psychologist
MD International Medical Centre
· Injection for Supraspinatus or Bicipital Tendonitis / Epicondylitis / Trigger finger / Plantar Fasciitis
· Tendon Sheath Injection
· Excision of small Skin tumours / Lipomas / Nail bed / Ear lobe cysts / Meibomian cyst
· Removal of Skin sutures / Skin tags / Sebaceous cysts / Various foreign bodies / Corneal foreign body
· Liquid Nitrogen Therapy
· Treatment of Plantar Warts / Calluses / Corns / Ganglions
· Splinters under nails
· Olecranon and Pre-patellar Bursitis
· Ear syringing
· Embedded earring stud
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