Jakarta (ANTARA) - Influenza A is currently drawing attention\nfollowing reports of increased influenza virus findings in several\nregions of Indonesia. The issue has also caught the attention of the\nIndonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI), which is urging the mapping of\nregions and influenza spread patterns, especially since some cases have\nbeen found in the paediatric group.<\/p>\n
Latest data from the Ministry of Health up to 19 September 2026 shows\nthat the proportion of positive influenza in week 36 surveillance\nreached 46 per cent, up from 35 per cent the previous week. Out of 185\nspecimens examined, there were 86 positive influenza cases, consisting\nof 76 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, eight A(H3N2), and two influenza B\nVictoria. Approximately 42 per cent of detected influenza cases\noriginated from the 0-4 age group.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health stated that the overall level of\ninfluenza activity remains in the low category and the situation is\nstill under control. Therefore, while news regarding influenza A\nwarrants attention, it does not mean that every finding of influenza A\nindicates an emergency or an outbreak.<\/p>\n
So, what exactly is influenza A and how dangerous is the disease?<\/p>\n
What is influenza A?<\/p>\n
Influenza A is a type of influenza virus that can cause infections in\nthe human respiratory tract. The World Health Organisation (WHO)\nexplains that seasonal influenza in humans is most frequently caused by\ninfluenza type A and B viruses. Influenza A is further divided into\nseveral subtypes based on two proteins on the virus surface:\nhaemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N).<\/p>\n
Some circulating subtypes of influenza A in humans include\nA(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2). A(H1N1)pdm09 was the virus responsible for the\n2009 influenza pandemic. Since the end of that pandemic, this virus has\nbecome one of the seasonal influenza viruses that continue to circulate.\nTherefore, when the name H1N1 reappears in current influenza reports, it\ndoes not mean the 2009 pandemic is recurring; H1N1pdm09 is now part of\nthe seasonal influenza viruses circulating in humans.<\/p>\n
How is influenza A transmitted?<\/p>\n
Influenza A can spread relatively easily from one person to another.\nTransmission primarily occurs through respiratory particles when an\ninfected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. The risk of transmission can\nalso increase when a person is in crowded places and has close contact\nwith someone who is ill.\u00a0This is why influenza can spread quite quickly\nin environments such as schools, workplaces, homes, healthcare\nfacilities, or other enclosed spaces.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, influenza can circulate year-round. The Ministry of\nHealth notes that influenza activity can be influenced by weather\nfactors and has the potential to increase during the rainy season.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of influenza A are fundamentally not very different from\nother types of influenza. The WHO states that influenza symptoms usually\nappear suddenly. Common complaints include fever, cough, sore throat,\nrunny nose, headache, muscle and joint pain, and significant fatigue. A\ncough may also last longer than other symptoms, even up to two weeks or\nmore. For some people, symptoms may feel like a common cold and improve\non their own within about a week. However, there are also conditions\nwhere influenza develops into a more serious illness.<\/p>\n
Is influenza A dangerous?<\/p>\n
The answer is, it can be. Most people affected by influenza can\nrecover without requiring special treatment. However, influenza can also\ncause complications, especially in high-risk groups. The WHO identifies\nchildren under five, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with\ncertain chronic diseases as groups at higher risk of severe\ninfluenza.<\/p>\n
Chronic diseases that can increase the risk of complications include\nheart, lung, kidney, and liver diseases, metabolic disorders, and\nseveral conditions affecting the immune system. Influenza complications\ncan manifest as pneumonia or lung infections. In severe cases, infection\ncan lead to sepsis and organ failure. Influenza can also exacerbate\npre-existing conditions, such as asthma or lung and heart diseases.\nTherefore, the assumption that influenza is merely a \u201ccommon flu\u201d is not\nalways accurate; the risk of illness depends heavily on the condition of\nthe infected individual.<\/p>\n
The name influenza A(H3N2) subclade K was also widely discussed in\nIndonesia throughout 2026. The Ministry of Health previously issued a\nspecial circular regarding the management of influenza A(H3N2) subclade\nK. The document noted that subclade K was first detected in Indonesia in\nSeptember 2025, and by 10 January 2026, 74 cases had been found across\n13 provinces. The Ministry of Health also noted that the majority of\ncases showed mild to moderate symptoms.<\/p>\n
In the latest surveillance report up to 19 September 2026, the\nMinistry of Health still recorded the presence of H3N2 subclade K in 13\nprovinces. However, surveillance data also showed that there were no\npositive influenza cases requiring ICU admission in the sentinel\nhospitals examined during week 36. This means that the term \u2018subclade K\u2019\ndoes not automatically imply that an individual will suffer from severe\nillness; severity remains influenced by individual condition, age,\nco-morbidities, and various other factors.<\/p>\n
When to see a doctor?<\/p>\n
Flu can usually improve with rest and adequate fluid intake. However,\nthe public should be more vigilant if symptoms worsen or do not improve.\nDifficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure,\nconfusion, severe dizziness, extreme weakness, dehydration, or a\ncondition that initially improved but then worsened are signs that\nrequire medical attention. The Ministry of Health also advises the\npublic to immediately access healthcare facilities if symptoms worsen or\ndo not improve after more than a certain period.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/what-is-influenza-a-and-how-dangerous-is-it-1790049994", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }