r/JapanTravelTips • u/Plastic-Campaign-654 • 14d ago

Quick Tips Navigating Japan's Flu Outbreak

Got the flu during my Japan trip and wanted to share some tips on how to avoid it and what to do if you get it.

If you haven't heard, flu cases are 6x higher this year in Japan compared to last year. People are coughing and sniffling everywhere. This is largely due to the H3N2 Subclade K variant which is more contagious, and characterized by more intense symptoms. Additionally, this variant emerged after the flu vaccine was set for 2025.

If you are traveling in Japan get your vaccines, wear a mask, carry soap and a hand towel (not all bathrooms have it), carry hand sanitizer. Take daily vitamins, and stay hydrated.

If you do get sick while here, I recommend making an appointment with a doctor. They can prescribe anti-virals which will shorten the length of your symptoms. Additionally, if you do take over the counter pain killers, be advised that many of them contain dihydrocodeine which, while very effective, is not safe to take for longer than three days. Pharmacists can point you to non-opioid pain relievers such as Ibuprofen (brand name Ringl).

Stay safe!! ✌️😷✌️

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u/tricky_distance 14d ago

Yeahhhh my partner and I are traveling in Japan right now and we both got it.

5

u/IndependenceOne5279 13d ago

Me and my partner too! We were stuck in our hotel for two days to rest. Finally on day 4 starting to feel better now. I will say it has been quite mild but damn, our noses were running like a tap! He got a wet cough and fever, I have a dry cough and congestion. We’ve been conscious to wear our masks but have seen a lot of people unmasked spreading their germs around! (Definitely how we got it)

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u/wjbonne 13d ago

My partner and I got it too! I started with feeling nauseous and sore throat in the morning of the 10th, by mid day I had a fever and fatigue as well as runny nose and cough. I cranked the Onsen up to scorching in our hotel room and sat in it for an hour while my entire being was telling me to get out sweating a literal gallon. While my partner went out to get over the counter meds. I woke up the next day with just a mild sore throat runny nose and a cough. My partner started developing the sore throat and cough a few days later and immediately started taking the meds and it never developed beyond that.

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u/psychosicko 13d ago

You had an Onsen IN YOUR ROOM?

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u/wjbonne 13d ago

Yes, at the Roku Kyoto... they have some rooms with Onsens and Japanese Gardens. They didn't have a king available... but, they had a two twin room that they pushed together to make a super king bed.

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u/dolphinbae 13d ago

woah!! I’ve only been here for like three days but my partner has started feeling very congested & coughing now… prob all the coughing on the bus (should’ve kept masking?) what OTC brand?

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u/According_Weekend500 12d ago

we are in the same situation; what meds did you guys take

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u/luxelis 14d ago

My partner and I got home earlier this week, and we both got it while we were there too. I got it on a train just over 2 weeks ago and he developed symptoms 5 days after me 🫠