[2024-2025 WINTER] How to prevent & deal with influenza while in Japan?
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In Japan, winter is approaching nationwide.
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Influenza is a disease that is prevalent during the cold season, although not limited to Japan.
Traveling in Japan is fun, but if you get sick during your trip, you will not be able to make happy memories, so please check the points that you should take care of your health during your trip.
How is influenza transmitted?
Influenza is an illness transmitted mainly by droplets containing the virus (sneezing or coughing) or by touching the eyes or mouth after touching an object with the virus on it.
In Japan, the disease tends to spread from the end of the year to the beginning of the new year, The reason for infection is that the cold weather increases the opportunities for people to be crowded indoors.
Dry air can increase the lifespan of viruses and decrease the protective function of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
To prevent infection even before traveling, it is important to wash hands frequently, disinfect with alcohol, and wear a mask.
What is important?
It is very important to have the right knowledge and appropriate response, so it is very important to have a regular routine.
Such measures would prevent infectious diseases, including coronavirus.
Influenza Waiting Period and Prevention
The incubation period for influenza infection is usually 1 to 3 days, and in most cases, symptoms improve within 4 to 5 days of onset.(There are individual differences.)
Infections to others will also require attention.
>Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Incubation period (period during which symptoms are not felt)
Incubation period is generally, 1-3 days after infection after infection.
Onset period (period during which fever or other discomfort is felt)
Generally, it heals spontaneously in about 1 week to 10 days. Symptoms often improve within 4 to 5 days of onset.
Period of time to infect (infectious period)
It is said that the infectious and contagious period that allows the disease to infect others is from 1 day before onset to 5 days after onset.
If you feel a fever or other symptoms, take special care not to infect others for about 5 days.
Key Points of Prevention
Please check the points of prevention during your trip.
- Proper hand washing: Upon returning to the hotel where you are staying, wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.
- Adequate sleep and nutrition: To boost immunity, travel regularly so that you can sleep well and avoid binge eating and drinking.
- Watch the humidity in hotels: dryness allows the virus to survive longer, so simply drying wet towels indoors or placing a container of water in the room can help.
If possible, request an air purifier with humidification in your hotel room or take simple humidification measures yourself as a preventive measure.
In addition, disinfectant products and moisturizing masks available at Japanese convenience stores and drugstores will greatly help to protect your health during your trip.
Benefits of going to the hospital if you have the flu
In addition to influenza infection, illness and injury during travel can be A visit to a hospital will ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
In the event of influenza infection, antiviral drugs (Tamiflu or Zofluza) taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms can be effective in reducing the duration of fever by 1 to 2 days, and can also be expected to alleviate the severity of symptoms.
Influenza antiviral drugs are not available in Japan at drugstores or pharmacies.Since a prescription from a doctor is required, the medication cannot be purchased without a consultation at a hospital or clinic.
Hospitals in Japan are said to be clean and quick to examine patients, and foreign travelers are also said to feel at ease.
It would be helpful to find out in advance which clinics in the area we will be visiting are available in foreign languages, but this will be difficult because there are few websites on the Internet in languages other than Japanese.
Immediately after entering the country, purchase travel insurance made in Japan to solve the problem.
There are insurance policies that can be purchased online after arrival in Japan.
After you are insured, you can download the app to your smartphone and log in to contact the insurance company's customer service anywhere in Japan, so you can be assured that they will direct you to the appropriate hospital or clinic.
The app also translates your conversation with the doctor, allowing for an accurate consultation.
Insurance while traveling to Japan
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