Lately, many are talking: “Why so many people getting flu now?” It’s true — we are seeing more influenza cases in Malaysia and across the region. According to WHO’s regional update in March 2025, out of about 8,016 clinical specimens tested in Malaysia, 1,183 were positive for influenza — that’s about 14.8% positivity.
Also, studies in Malaysia (2016–2018) showed influenza is present year-round, with occasional peaks. Over those three years, more than 11,000 influenza-like illness (ILI) cases and 5,700 severe respiratory infection cases were recorded in sentinel sites.
These numbers remind us: flu is not just a “seasonal thing” that comes and goes — it’s always with us, and sometimes it surges.
What Is Influenza (Flu)?
Flu is a viral infection of your respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs). It’s more severe than a common cold, often coming on fast with higher fever, stronger body aches, chills, fatigue, sore throat, cough, and sometimes headaches.
While many recover within a week or so, complications can happen — like pneumonia, or worsening of other illnesses (such as asthma, heart problems) — especially in young children, older adults, or people with chronic diseases.
How Does the Flu Spread?
- Flu viruses spread mainly by respiratory droplets — when someone coughs, sneezes, talks, those droplets may reach your nose or mouth, or land on surfaces.
- You can also pick it up by touching surfaces (door handles, phone screens) carrying the virus, then touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth).
- Importantly: people can spread flu even before they feel fully sick.
Conditions that make spread easier: crowding (schools, public transport), closed indoor spaces, low immunity, poor ventilation, and lack of hygiene practices.
How to Prevent the Flu (Smart & Practical Ways)
You don’t need to be a doctor to make a difference — here are steps anyone can take:
1. Get Vaccinated Every Year
Flu vaccination is one of the best tools available. Even when vaccine strains don’t match perfectly, it often reduces the severity, hospital visits, and complications. In Malaysia, vaccine effectiveness in reducing influenza-like illness ranges from about 55% to 76% in some studies.
2. Practice Good Hand Hygiene
Wash your hands often with soap and water (at least 20 seconds), especially after sneezing, using the toilet, or being in public. Use hand sanitisers when soap isn’t available.
3. Cover Coughs & Sneezes
Use tissue or your inner elbow, not your bare hand. Throw away tissues immediately, and wash hands.
4. Wear a Mask when outside or when sick
If you are coughing, or in crowded places, wear a mask. This helps reduce the chance you will infect others or get infected.
5. Maintain Social Distancing
If someone near you is sick, keep a little more space. Also avoid crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces when flu is active.
6. Clean & Disinfect Surfaces
Frequently touched surfaces (phones, doorknobs, tabletops) should be cleaned regularly.
7. Strengthen Your Immune System
Sleep enough, eat balanced meals, manage stress, keep physically active (as your health allows), and avoid habits that weaken immunity (e.g. smoking, heavy alcohol).
If you or someone else shows flu-like signs, don’t delay medical attention — early care often leads to better outcomes.
What to do if you think you have a flu ？
If you start feeling fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, fatigue, here are steps you should take:
- Seek professional medical care immediately — especially if you are in a high-risk group (young children, elderly, pregnant, chronic illness).
- Use over-the-counter medicines (as advised by a pharmacist or doctor) for symptom relief — things like fever-reducing medicine, pain relief medicines, cough suppressants, etc.
- Rest a lot, drink fluids (water, warm soups, herbal teas), and keep yourself warm and comfortable.
- Avoid self-medicating beyond what’s safe — always check with medical professionals (doctor, pharmacist).
- Monitor symptoms. If you find difficulty breathing, chest pain, or worsening signs, go to hospital or clinic without delay.
What type of food to eat to prevent flu?
While food alone can’t guarantee you won’t catch flu, a good, nourishing diet helps your body defend itself and recover faster. Here are helpful picks:
- Citrus fruits (orange, lemon, lime) — vitamin C
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries) — antioxidants
- Leafy greens (spinach, kangkung, choy sum) — vitamins, minerals, fibre
- Garlic & onions — some compounds may help immunity
- Ginger & turmeric — natural anti-inflammatory
- Mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, etc.) — immune-supportive potential
- Yogurt / probiotic foods — good for gut health, which links to immunity
- Lean proteins — chicken, fish, tofu, eggs, legumes
- Nuts & seeds — vitamin E, zinc, healthy fats
- Warm soups / broths — easy to digest, comforting
- Plenty of water / warm herbal teas — to stay hydrated
Try to eat colourful, varied meals and limit too much sugar, deep-fried or ultra-processed food, which can stress your body.
The rise in flu cases is real — in Malaysia, recent reports show a noticeable proportion of specimens testing positive.
World Health Organization
And the longer-term data suggest that flu is always circulating, with peaks that come unpredictably.
PMC
But here’s the good news: we have tools. With prevention, early care, and healthy living, many flu cases can be managed or avoided.
If you ever feel unwell, don’t hesitate. Rest, hydrate, seek medical help, and let your body recover.
Stay safe, stay well — and let’s help each other stay healthier.