TV host Dr Shazril Shaharuddin, better known as Dr Say, shares the traumatic experience of influenza in his family and what it taught him writes Meera Murugesan
MANY people take influenza lightly, but Dr Shazril Shaharuddin's experience has taught him otherwise. Since his son Aezriel got terribly sick with influenza at only two months, he's made it a point to share this message with as many parents as he can.
After his son was born and when both his paternity leave and his wife's maternity leave had ended after two months, they had to send their little boy to daycare.
It took only three days before he developed flu-like symptoms but, as they were both doctors, they were confident they could care for him themselves.
"We used everything we could think of to make him more comfortable but when he started having difficulty breathing, we decided it was time to get him
to a hospital," says Dr Shazril.
They went to hospital and were told he had to be admitted, because his condition was not good. Dr Shazril and his wife took turns to look after him but on the fourth day, their baby deteriorated even more.
His breathing was rapid and shallow, like he was gasping for air. He had to be put on high flow oxygen.
"It was frightening and I couldn't bear to see him that way. I couldn't help wondering if this was the end for him. It seemed so cruel that, after waiting four-and-a-half years for our child, it would come to this - having him come into the world just to experience this terrible illness."
Thankfully, their baby recovered but it took nine stressful days before he was discharged.
THE RISK FACTOR
The paediatrician explained that children below five years are one of the high-risk groups; this means they are more likely to experience complications from influenza.
Pregnant women are also high-risk and it's safe to receive the influenza vaccination at any point during pregnancy. This also confers passive immunity for newborns as they are only able to receive the vaccination after 6 months.
Naturally, the couple took Aezriel for his influenza vaccination as soon as he turned six months.
"In fact, we would have given it to him earlier if it was possible. At the same time, we got the influenza vaccination for ourselves as well so we have our own herd immunity within our family."
Since then, Aezriel has not had an episode with influenza and Dr Shazril advises parents not to take influenza lightly.
KNOW THE FACTS
ACCORDING to consultant paediatrician Dr Salehuddin Samsudin, influenza or the flu is different from the common cold, although both are respiratory diseases.
Influenza is much more serious, with complications that can be very serious or fatal.
Symptoms of a cold are mostly a bit of a sneeze or cough and are not severe; but symptoms of influenza include very high fever, aching muscles and joints, and it could lead to lung problems such as pneumonia.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that the most effective way to prevent influenza is to have an annual vaccination, especially the high-risk groups who may get severe complications from it.
These include:
1. Children below 5 years old.
2. The elderly above 65 years old.
3. People with chronic conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma, and those who have weakened immune systems like cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy.
4. Pregnant women – influenza can endanger both mother and the baby in the womb.
5. Healthcare professionals who are working with sick patients all the time and more likely to spread the influenza virus to others.
It's worthwhile for everyone to take the influenza vaccine, even if they are not in the high-risk groups, to help protect their loved ones, says Dr Dr Salehuddin.
"Vaccines have a long history of safe and effective protection, and the influenza vaccine is one of the most affordable optional vaccines."
There are two types of influenza vaccines: trivalent and quadrivalent, which cover either 3 or 4 strains of influenza viruses circulating at that time.
Influenza vaccines need to be taken annually as influenza viruses constantly evolve.
"The current spread of Covid-19 is an example of how rapidly a disease can spread when there is no vaccine to protect people."
Dr Salehuddin advises parents to get their information from the right sources so they can make an informed decision, and to act quickly while the vaccines are available.
Diseases like influenza are a constant threat so we should make every effort to protect ourselves and our children with annual influenza vaccinations, he says.
"In fact, don't miss out on any of your children's annual vaccinations as it is very important to keep to the right vaccination schedule for the sake of your children's health."
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