It is no doubt that every year around this time, persons fall ill with flu-like symptoms, causing them to suffer from respiratory infections. However, over the past month or so, there appears to be an increase in persons experiencing flu-like symptoms.

The Barnacle News Team held an exclusive interview with Dr. Francis Martin, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the Ministry of Health, to get his input on the situation at hand. Dr. Martin agreed and confirmed that such occurances are not uncommon especially around this time of the year, but, this year, there seems “a bit more extened than normal.”

As the weather pattern changes, it carries along numerous viruses with it, thus creating viral infections which lead to persons developming “flu-like symptoms.” According to Dr. Francis Martin, in order to diagnose Influenza, certain tests must be done. Although these tests are not done, the symptoms persons have in Grenada are “very charactersistic in persons who have Influenza.” Hence they are called flu-like symptoms.

Speaking briefly about the increase, Dr. Martin noted that “there has been a spike of flu-like illnesses across the island over the last couple of weeks.” However, thus far, there are more cases on the eastern side being reported.

Additionally, Dr. Martin went on to say, “ensuring that your immune system is up and running,” is equally important. “Different people experience the flu-like symptoms differently, because it’s an indicaiton and a mark of the strength of your immune system.” Therefore, those who have a stronger immune system, if affected, their chances of becoming infected are slim, as their immune system is able to fight the virus. However, persons who are immunosupressed (weak immune system), have cancer, HIV, practice poor diets, don’t drink sufficient water and don’t rest adequately are at a greater risk of becoming infected, thus experiencing more severe symptoms.  This, he said, would explain why some persons experience worse symptoms than others.

So how can persons protect themselves? According to Dr. Martin, the maintainance of proper hand and respiratory hygiene is imperative. He is encouraging persons to always wash their hands, especially if they cough or sneeze in it. If they become affected by the virus, they need to get sufficient rest and drink fluids in order to get better.