Why influenza deserves more respect than “just a bad cold”
Influenza, or “the flu”, is often underestimated. Many people think of it as a slightly worse version of the common cold, something to be endured with a few days of rest and over-the-counter medication. In reality, influenza is a different virus with very different consequences. It can flatten even healthy adults for a week or more, and in older adults or people with chronic medical conditions, it can lead to pneumonia, hospitalisation and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.
In Singapore, influenza does not only appear in one “winter season” as it does in temperate countries. Because of our climate and travel patterns, flu viruses circulate all year round, with peaks typically in the middle of the year and again towards the year end. That means the risk is always there in the background, even if the weather feels the same.
The good news is that we are not helpless. Vaccination, sensible precautions and, when needed, early treatment can tilt the odds very much in your favour.
Why the yearly flu jab still matters
The yearly flu vaccine remains the single most important tool we have against influenza. It will not prevent every case, but it does three important things: it lowers your chance of catching the flu, it makes the illness milder and shorter if you do get infected, and it reduces the risk of serious complications and hospitalisation, especially in people who are more vulnerable.
You might wonder why it has to be done every year. There are two main reasons. First, protection from the vaccine gradually fades over time; your immune system “forgets” a little as the months go by. Second, the influenza virus itself keeps changing. Each year, experts around the world track which strains are circulating and update the vaccine recipe to match them. Taking the current season’s vaccine means you are preparing your immune system for the strains most likely to cause trouble now, not the ones that were common five years ago.
For most adults, one flu shot every twelve months is a practical and effective baseline. If you are older or have chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, COPD, kidney or liver disease, this becomes even more important, because the consequences of a bad flu infection can be much more serious.
“But we don’t have winter here” – what flu season looks like in Singapore
It is natural to associate flu with winter, especially if you have lived in countries with four seasons. Singapore works differently. We do not have one fixed flu season; instead we see influenza circulating throughout the year, with two main peaks. Because of this, it is not necessary to wait for a particular month to get vaccinated. If you are due for your flu jab and vaccine stock is available, it usually makes more sense to vaccinate now rather than wait for a “perfect” time that keeps shifting.
When we plan your vaccination, we take into account your age, existing medical conditions, previous vaccinations and travel plans. For example, someone who travels frequently to countries with a clear winter flu season may benefit from timing their jab slightly differently from someone who mainly stays in Singapore. These details can be discussed during your consultation so that the plan fits your life rather than following a rigid calendar.
Who should take influenza especially seriously?
Anyone can get the flu, and even fit young adults are sometimes surprised by how hard it hits them. It is common to feel exhausted, have high fever, intense body aches and a dry, hacking cough that makes sleep difficult. Most people recover with rest and simple medication, but some groups are much more likely to run into complications.
Older adults, especially those over 65, have a higher risk of pneumonia, hospitalisation and slower recovery. People with chronic conditions such as asthma or COPD may find that a flu infection triggers a severe flare of their breathing symptoms. Those with heart disease can develop worsening chest pain or heart failure. Diabetes can be harder to control when you are acutely unwell, and infections put extra strain on the kidneys and liver. Pregnant women are also more vulnerable to severe flu and are a priority group for vaccination in many national guidelines.
If you fall into any of these categories, or if you live with or care for someone who does, influenza vaccination is not just a “nice to have” – it is an important part of keeping you and your household safe. Many expatriates and travellers who have recently arrived in Singapore may not realise that their last flu jab was several years ago, or that the pattern of flu circulation here is different from their home country. A short discussion during a clinic visit can help clarify whether you are due for an update.
“What if I still get the flu after vaccination?”
No vaccine is perfect, and you may have heard of someone who took the flu jab and still came down with flu-like symptoms. This can happen, especially if a person is exposed to the virus before their immune system has had time to respond fully, or if the virus changes during the season. However, the full story is more reassuring than it sounds.
On average, people who have been vaccinated and still get influenza tend to have milder illness, fewer days of high fever, less risk of complications such as pneumonia, and a lower chance of needing hospital care. In other words, the seatbelt analogy applies: wearing a seatbelt does not guarantee that you will never be involved in a car accident, but it greatly improves your chances of walking away safely if one occurs. The flu jab plays a similar role for your immune system.
Antiviral medications: an extra layer for those who need it
If you develop symptoms that sound like influenza – sudden onset of high fever, chills, severe body aches, headache, dry cough and profound fatigue – especially if you are in a higher-risk group, it is worth seeing a doctor early. In some situations, we may prescribe specific antiviral medicines that act directly against the flu virus.
These medications are not antibiotics. They work best when started within the first forty-eight hours after symptoms begin. For suitable patients, they can shorten the duration of illness and lower the likelihood of complications. They are not needed for everyone with flu, and they do not replace vaccination, but they can be very helpful in selected cases, particularly for older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and those who are very unwell at the onset.
The decision to use antivirals is individual. During your consultation, we consider how long you have been sick, how severe your symptoms are, what other medical conditions you have, and whether there are vulnerable people in your household.
When to seek urgent medical attention
Most people with flu feel very unwell but gradually improve over several days. There are, however, certain warning signs that should not be ignored. If someone with flu-like symptoms becomes increasingly breathless, develops chest pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest, seems confused or unusually drowsy, cannot keep fluids down because of persistent vomiting, or continues to have very high fever despite appropriate medication, it is important to seek urgent medical help. This is especially true for older adults and those with chronic diseases. In such situations, going straight to the emergency department is appropriate.
Everyday habits that still matter
Vaccination and, where appropriate, antivirals are important, but everyday habits still play a big role in reducing the spread of influenza and other respiratory infections. Washing your hands regularly, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze all reduce the chance of passing germs to others. Keeping frequently touched surfaces clean at home and in the workplace also helps.
If you are feeling acutely unwell, it is kinder to yourself and those around you to rest at home rather than “push through” at work or school. This gives your body a chance to recover and reduces the risk of infecting colleagues, classmates, children or elderly relatives.
How we can help at Kenneth Tan Medical Clinic
At Kenneth Tan Medical Clinic, we do not see the flu jab as a stand-alone checkbox on a screening form. Instead, we treat influenza prevention as part of your overall health plan.
During a consultation, we will review your age, medical history, medications and previous vaccinations; ask about your home environment and work; and consider whether you have recently arrived from or will be travelling to other countries. Based on this, we discuss whether influenza vaccination is recommended for you now, how it fits in with your other vaccines, and what you can reasonably expect in terms of protection. If you come in already unwell, we assess whether your illness is likely to be influenza, COVID-19, another respiratory infection or something else entirely, and then talk through testing, treatment options and home care.
Our aim is to help you approach flu season in Singapore with understanding rather than anxiety, and with a personalised plan rather than generic advice.
Stay protected this flu season – and all year round
If you are unsure whether you need a flu jab, if you are new to Singapore and unfamiliar with our pattern of influenza circulation, or if you simply want to discuss how best to protect yourself and your family, we would be glad to see you.
Book Your Appointment Online or call us at 6920 1952 to speak with one of our doctors about influenza vaccination and flu prevention.