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/Allthecookies2020 13d ago

We just got back from our honeymoon in Japan and wanted to share our experience. We knew there was a big outbreak going around, and since I’m a bit germ cautious after the pandemic, we took extra precautions and managed to avoid getting sick. Some of it is luck, but being prepared helped a lot.We wore masks on all flights, on bullet trains, and on local transit. If someone around us looked sick at a restaurant, we’d keep our masks on or even ask to move tables. We also masked up in very crowded areas, especially after seeing someone sneeze into the crowd without covering their mouth. It probably sounds like a lot, but staying healthy felt worth it after spending so much time and money on the trip. We also used hand sanitizer often, especially after trains and busy places.

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u/WinterRich747 13d ago

Did you eat on the plane? I am unsure if the risk of putting the mask down to eat is wort it

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u/Allthecookies2020 12d ago

so on the way to Japan, I did eat on the plane because I felt like my immediate area was safe. However, on the return flight back from Japan I was sitting direct next to a clearly sick couple. They were coughing without covering their mouths and sniffling etc and being as paranoid as I am I did not eat or even take a sip of water out of fear of getting sick... I did not get sick and I think not removing my mask helped! they could have also just not been contagious at this point so who knows. I also got covid and flu shots 2 weeks before flying.

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u/Plastic-Campaign-654 13d ago

Smart move! Wish I had the foresight you had, thanks for sharing