Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions including chronic illness of heart, lung or kidney disease, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• fever or feeling feverish/chills cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• tiredness
• some people may have vomiting and diarrhoea, though this is more common in children than adults.

In 2009-2010, a new and very different flu virus (called 2009 A/H1N1) spread worldwide, causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years. As expected, this same virus is actually causing illness again along with other influenza viruses as seasonal flu.

The situation in Europe is that most countries are experiencing regional or widespread influenza activity, with medium to high influenza illness and respiratory tract infections. The trends over time are still increasing.

The situation is similar in Malta. The Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit, with the assistance of a number of general practitioners, carries out sentinel surveillance at community level to monitor the trends in influenza illness.

Around mid-December 2010, four of every 100 patients going to their doctor had flu. Within a week, this more than doubled, with 10 of every 100 persons going to the doctor being sick with flu. The trend continued to rise, and at present we have calculated that for every 100 patients going to their doctor 14 are sick with flu.

When compared to the flu pandemic of last year, the rate of influenza is lower; however, compared to previous influenza seasons, this year the influenza activity in the community is much higher.

Unfortunately, some people with flu may need admission to hospital and if severe complications develop, some may even need intensive care. The UK and a few other countries are reporting cases requiring higher level care and deaths, especially in young adults associated with influenza infection. Most are with A(H1N1) 2009 virus, but some are with B influenza viruses as well.

In Malta we only had one person who was admitted to ITU and another, a 70-year-old British woman, died from H1N1 infection.

The current dominance of the A(H1N1) 2009 influenza viruses is making the epidemics different in character from the previous seasonal influenza. Younger people are affected, most in clinical risk groups, including pregnant women but also some entirely healthy people.

Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. The seasonal flu vaccine we have had available since October 2009 protects against A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/Brisbane virus. The vaccine is still available from health centres free of charge. Do take your jab if you have not done so yet.

Good health habits, like covering your cough and washing your hands often, can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.

• Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

• Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

• Clean your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when one touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches one’s eyes, nose or mouth.

• Practise other good health habits.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

On the other hand, if you do get sick, do consult your doctor. The use of antiviral treatment in people with flu illness is to be left to the doctor’s clinical discretion.

Dr Gauci is director of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate.