Winter flu season hits early, putting pressure on doctors

The winter flu season has begun earlier than usual, with doctors facing increased pressure from growing numbers of patients presenting with symptoms or requesting home visits.

Malta College of Family Doctors vice-president Edward Zammit confirmed an early rise in cases of people experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Typically, such cases peak at the end of December and continue through January and February. However, this year an earlier trend has been observed, in line with international patterns.

Zammit emphasised the importance of vaccination, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable – a message recently echoed by Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci. She noted that people continued to be hospitalised due to the flu which also leads to deaths. Last year, there were 27 deaths and 555 hospitalisations for flu.

It is not yet known whether the early surge is linked to the H3N2 strain, which has spread across parts of Europe and placed significant pressure on the UK’s National Health Service. H3N2 is a common strain of the influenza A virus that mutates slightly each season and spreads easily during winter. An early onset allows it more time to spread.

It is also too early to determine whether this season’s cases will be unusually high, as this will depend on how the coming months unfold, Zammit said.

Symptoms are typical of influenza and include fatigue, muscle pain and coughing, which often starts dry and may develop into a chesty cough. Fever can reach up to 40°C and may last three days or longer.

Some patients, particularly children, are also experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. In these cases, it is important to maintain adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration, Zammit said.

In some instances, the fever subsides and then returns, which may indicate a secondary illness such as a chest infection. For this reason, he stressed the importance of consulting a doctor.