(Trinidad Express) It is possible that as many as six people in the country have died from the flu so far this year, a Ministry of Health doctor said yesterday.
The ministry is advising the public, particularly vulnerable people, to take preventative measures and get immunised against influenza.
The immunisation is available at all health centres.
“For this year our preliminary statistics say probably six persons may have died from the flu this season so far,” said Dr Adesh Sirjusingh, director of Women’s Health at the Ministry of Health.
He was speaking on TV6’s Morning Edition programme yesterday. Flu season generally starts in October and lasts until May/June, Dr Sirjusingh noted, adding that the Ministry is currently ramping up its influenza immunisation programme as it is in its peak season.
“Every year our statistics show there is always a spike around this time leading in to Carnival and afterwards,” he said.
Dr Sirjusingh cautioned that “the flu is not the common cold. The flu is a more serious disease which could lead to hospitalisation and unfortunately may cause death”.
The common cold symptoms are milder and people get over it quickly but the flu tends to “knock you down, mash you up, you can’t do your work… (you get) high fever”.
Flu symptoms include cough, sore throat, body aches, muscle pain, joint pain, severe headaches, chills and fatigue.
He said younger people which get the flu may experience vomiting and diarrhoea.
