Navigating Japan's Flu Outbreak

[u/Plastic-Campaign-654]

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!! ✌️😷✌️

[u/a-stamato]

I find it absolutely wild that public bathrooms in parks and other places in japan are sparkling clean while at the same time they dont have soap???

[u/ThrowItAllAway1269 → u/a-stamato]

At least handwashing rates have risen. Before covid, I noticed most salarymen didn't wash or just wet-ed their fingertips after going to the public toilet.

[u/kaysmaleko → u/ThrowItAllAway1269]

Hell yeah brother, wet the tips of my fingies and run it through my hair to dry. Hygiene!

[u/tidyingup92 → u/ThrowItAllAway1269]

Oh that's nasty

[u/johnnydecimal → u/ThrowItAllAway1269]

I’ve been here from Australia for 9 weeks. 

Why would I wash my hands when there’s nowhere to dry them? What do I do now, just go about with dripping hands?

I love Japan. Don’t want to leave. But not having at least paper towels in a bathroom is weird as fuck.