Flu Patients Increase by 22.4% in One Week... Prevention Rules Doctors Also Strictly Follow

30.2% Increase in Patients Aged 13-18... Rise in COVID-19 Confirmed Cases
Recommendations: Avoid Eating at Office Desks, Wash Hands Frequently, Use Disinfectants

A child is receiving a flu shot at Seoul Seongbuk Woori Children's Hospital. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy, Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] The number of influenza patients has increased by more than 20% in just one week. The number of patients is rapidly rising among adolescents. Experts advise that infectious diseases can be prevented by following preventive measures in daily life.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 4th, the influenza-like illness (ILI) rate (number of suspected patients per 1,000 outpatients) from October 23 to 29 was 9.3, an increase of 1.7 (22.4%) from 7.6 in the previous week (week 43). This is twice the epidemic threshold of 4.9 and the highest figure this year. The ILI rate had decreased from 7.1 in week 40 to 7.0 in week 41 and 6.2 in week 42, but has increased for two consecutive weeks up to this week.

The KDCA operates an influenza surveillance system targeting 200 medical institutions nationwide. People showing sudden fever above 38 degrees Celsius, cough, sore throat, etc., are classified as suspected patients. Influenza did not spread for two consecutive years until last year after the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year the epidemic started earlier in the fall than usual.

In week 44, the ILI rate was highest among adolescents aged 13 to 18. It surged 30.2% from 14.3 to 19.9, which is 4.1 times the epidemic threshold. For ages 1 to 6, it slightly decreased from 8.7 to 8.1. For ages 7 to 12, it increased from 6.9 to 8.7; for ages 19 to 49, from 11 to 14.3; and for ages 50 to 64, from 7.4 to 9.4. Except for infants under 1 year old (4.4) and those aged 65 and older (4.8), all age groups are above the epidemic threshold.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is also increasing alongside influenza. Concerns about a twin-demic, where both epidemics occur simultaneously, are growing. From October 28 to November 3, the average daily number of new COVID-19 cases was 40,895, an increase of about 10,000 from 30,248 in the previous week.

The health authorities have judged that the incidence is turning upward. On the previous day, the COVID-19 risk level nationwide, in the metropolitan area, and in non-metropolitan areas was raised from 'low' to 'moderate' for the first time in six weeks. Experts also predict that the seventh wave of COVID-19 will begin this month.

In this context, health and medical experts advise following preventive measures to cope with infectious diseases in daily life. Do not eat food at your office desk. Numerous viruses and bacteria live on and around computers on office desks. Some employees work at their desks all day while touching contaminated surfaces such as phones and keyboards. Michael Neal Sherwood, director of the Oklahoma Functional Medicine Institute in the U.S., said, "The office environment is a place where viruses and bacteria can easily be transferred to the mouth from the desk." He added, "It is healthier not to eat food at the desk."

Disinfect various areas of the office space regularly. Working alongside infected individuals in the office means sharing air, space, and equipment. Dr. Chris Arthur, an internist in California, U.S., said, "Regularly cleaning surfaces in shared areas such as microwave buttons, refrigerator handles, and door knobs can eliminate viruses and bacteria." He emphasized, "If you work in a confined space, be sure to wear a mask."

Always wash your hands before meals. Viruses such as influenza and the common cold are transmitted through physical contact. You can be infected by shaking hands with an infected person or touching viruses on door handles, phones, etc. To prevent this risk, all doctors follow a golden rule: wash your hands with soap, water, or alcohol-based sanitizer before eating.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.