MOPH urges public to stay warm, reports over 8,000 flu & pneumonia cases this month



BANGKOK, 25 January 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has advised people to stay warm during inclement weather to protect against flu and pneumonia, which have already affected over 8,000 people this year.

Cases of influenza and pneumonia generally become more frequent during colder weather. Each year, Thailand sees an average of 200,000 cases, of which approximately 1,000 are fatal. This year, the Disease Control Department has reported more than 6,000 patients with pneumonia and five related deaths. Almost 2,000 people have come down with influenza, but so far, there have been no fatalities.

Dr. Suwannachai Wathanayingcharoenchai, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Public Health and Ministry Spokesperson, has handed down the ministry’s policy on the matter to provincial public health offices across the country. Public health officials have been ordered to raise public awareness of the diseases and to work with hospitals in giving treatment to flu and pneumonia patients, who could suffer complications from other diseases in their weakened state.

Public Health officials have advised people to maintain good hygiene, avoid contact with known patients, and avoid areas that are excessively cold, polluted, or poorly ventilated.

The Ministry Spokesperson said that influenza is an infectious disease that can spread via coughing or physical contact. Initial symptoms include fever, coughing, soreness, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, stuffy nose, and clear nasal mucus. The disease usually lasts from 2-4 days with gradual improvement. Those who do not show signs of improvement after 48 hours are encouraged to seek medical attention.


-- NNT 2016-01-25

Cold temperatures have nothing at all to do with the chances of getting colds and the flu

Cold temperatures have nothing at all to do with the chances of getting colds and the flu

I always thought so too. It turns out that the reason there is a flu season is because the virus survives longer outside the body in cold dry weather. Therefore, getting cold doesn't make you sick, but you are more likely to catch the flu in dryer colder weather where it is better transmitted.

Cold temperatures have nothing at all to do with the chances of getting colds and the flu

In LOS they are lucky that the health department didn't remind them to pay homage to the temple to avoid AIDs

Cold temperatures have nothing at all to do with the chances of getting colds and the flu

The best way to avoid virus's is to keep your immune system in tip top condition. I doubt that this is what they meant, but moderate exposure of at least half of your body to the sun between 10.00 - 15.00 every day for at least 15 minutes is the best way to avoid all disease (including cancer in general and skin cancer in particular).

This enables you're GcMAF to bind to the macrophage receptors, turning them on and allowing them to fight off potential disease before it can take hold.

If the immune system is running perfectly then it is virtually impossible to suffer illness.

But 14-20 degrees is not cold at all by world standards

For the most part its like having free ac.....

Flu etc are not the problem. Hypothermia is. It is scientifically known that those living in countries with small temp.variations do not have the body systems to deal with sudden changes in temp. This is the real killer here as Thailand generally operates between 25 and 35 degrees C.

I'm a farang and currently freezing, so God knows how Thais feel. No way to heat your home, and no real cold weather clothing available, a death toll is inevitable due to the cold, not disease.

Cold weather Can have physiological effects on the body, including thickening of the blood, increase in blood pressure and tightening of the respiratory system. Older people do not feel cold in the same as younger, so by the time they feel cold their body temperature can have dropped to dangerous levels. There is an increase in flu and pneumonia in cold weather due to a lowered immune system within the body due to cold temperatures. There is an increase I heart attacks in cold weather. In hot countries like Thailand a significant drop in temperatures have an even greater effect on the body. In addition the lack of heating in houses makes this even worse in trying to keep warm.

When I first moved to Thailand and was caught out in a cold spell in Chiang rai I caught pneumonia, and was so ill I was hospitalised and nearly died. When I recovered the doctors were not happy about discharge unless my home was had sufficient heating. It took me months to recover. I moved south after that. Would never live in the north again. In the UK, cold weather is not a problem as in Thailand as you have lovely warm centrally heated houses, restaurants etc.

Yes, Pneumonia is pretty dangerous especially if you are over age 60. Some studies are not as optimistic about the preventive power of vitamin C (or other vitamins). Weight gain and smoking are no-nos. Surprisingly, good oral hygiene is a key preventive factor. Also being too close to kids increases the risk. Advice specific to Thailand on pneumonia is presented in some detail at http://pneumoniaforoldmen.com.