Flu hits Guangdong; vaccine recommended

Experts from the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention is urging locals, particularly children, to get vaccinated against influenza as the province enters peak flu season.

Vaccination is the "first choice for cost performance" against influenza, experts said.

Li Zengqing, a senior medical expert from Guangdong Hospital of Women and Children, said that if the public can be vaccinated, the number of influenza patients would gradually decline.

Li said that the hospital where he works is crowded with patients with fever, with a high percentage being influenza patients. They often have additional symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, chills and fatigue.

"Most of the patients developed a fever from three to four days after onset, their body temperature gradually subsided, and they improved," he said.

But coughing would go on for one to two weeks, Li said.

Wang Yi, a senior doctor from Guangzhou First People's Hospital, said influenza has come fiercely and quickly. He said the epidemic strain is H3N2.

"The elderly and children, especially, are susceptible and should be extra careful to prevent being infected," Wang said.

According to local pharmacies, the outbreak of influenza has spurred sales of medication, including the Chinese medicines of banlangen, xiaochaihu granules and antiviral oral liquids.