04/02/2025
RIP Barbie Hsu. Quite sad to succumb to something which is possibly preventable with a simple influenza vaccination.
With all the news of the death of the 48 year old Taiwanese actress-singer, we saw a spike in enquiries for the flu shot yesterday. As it is already approaching the end of the current winter season, most clinics would be approaching the end of their stocks of influenza vaccine.
If you have someone in your family who is elderly, on immuno-suppressed or even diabetic, do consider the flu shot for them and for the rest of your family. Usually the main reason for transmission is when a well-bodied family member brings it home and infects the vulnerable one.
About 10 years ago, I had a 40+ year old patient who was a known hypertensive and diabetic. She then developed a very high fever and breathlessness and was admitted to the SGH ICU for influenza pneumonia, for which she had to be intubated. She had to be sedated because in her state of disorientation, she tried repeated to yank her endotracheal tube out from her mouth. It was touch and go for that 2 weeks. When I visited the family, her husband was in tears and their 2 young daughters looking lost as to why mummy was lying there and not talking to them. She finally pulled through and survived, praise be to God. To her credit, she has worked hard since then to keep herself healthy and NEVER misses flu shots. Touch wood, she has not had a repeat of that incident.
So do the right thing. The flu jab is a simple and easy vaccine to take. It has been around for ages. And a new version is available every 6 months. It is usually well tolerated and without the adverse effects we see in some other jabs. Protect yourself and your family. Mai tu liao! (Don’t procrastinate any longer)
According to the WHO, there are around one billion cases of seasonal influenza each year. Read more at straitstimes.com.
