As daytime temperatures drop, there is much room for outdoor activities making it ideal for camping and visiting parks and beaches.
While low temperatures are welcome from extended summer, it also coincides with the arrival of viral influenza, which could be fatal if not given proper attention in time.
According to health experts, children, especially students, play a big role in the spread of seasonal influenza through virus transmission.
Recently, the Ministry of Health (MoH) stressed the importance of taking the influenza vaccine regularly, contrary to common belief that it is limited to having it only once.
Taking the vaccine as per the timetable is essential in maintaining the individuals' and society's health.
"Influenza viruses are constantly changing, and new strains spread every year, making annual vaccinations necessary to update protection against expected new strains," the ministry said.
The target segments for taking the influenza vaccine include people over the age of 50, people with chronic diseases such as respiratory, heart, renal, liver, neurological, blood, and metabolic disorders, uncontrolled diabetes and obesity among adults and children, pilgrims, workers in the health sector and pregnant women.
The MoH urges target segments to head to the nearest health institution to receive the seasonal flu vaccine to avoid influenza, which affects the respiratory system and may lead to severe complications.
Vaccines are also available for non-targeted citizens and residents in the private health sector.
Seasonal influenza (the flu) is an acute respiratory infection caused by viruses. It is common in all parts of the world, and generally, people recover without treatment or visiting a doctor.
People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of liquids. Most people will recover on their own within a week. Medical care may be needed in severe cases and for people with risk factors.
Influenza poses a significant disease burden on the healthcare system with hundreds of outpatient including hospitalisations.
Influenza can worsen symptoms of other chronic diseases. In severe cases, influenza can lead to pneumonia and sepsis. People with other medical issues or severe symptoms should seek medical care.
Hospitalisation and death due to influenza occur mainly among high-risk groups.
Seasonal influenza spreads quickly, with the rapid transmission in crowded areas, including schools and nursing homes when an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets containing viruses (infectious droplets) are dispersed into the air and can infect persons nearby.
Vaccines are updated routinely with new vaccines developed that contain viruses that match those circulating. Several inactivated influenza vaccines and recombinant influenza vaccines are available in injectable form.
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