Health ministry says flu season has officially begun

I have long known that flu shots don't work, which is why I have never had one.

Agreed

Just wash your hands regularly and keep your fingers out of your nose

It is unfortunate that many many businessmen on the trains are unable to do the latter. Fingers crossed we don't have a major outbreak this year

"Officially" begun, lol. How Japanese.

Wash your hands! After you ride the bus or train, don't touch your face until you've done so.

Sounds a bit like the Olympic opening ceremony with the anthems and all the protocol stuff.

Or maybe it's an inappropriate translation (hopefully).

I wonder how many of this year's flu victims have had shots from that company that has been scamming everyone for >>decades.

They are probably millions buying vaccine shot from that scamming company I suppose, might be a good business after all, since that flu comes every year ...perfectly timed.

there's nothing wrong with getting sick, it's how long it lasts and how severe. It's easier for example when you are allowed to take time off work. You don't get "troopers" who come in when they're not well just because they're afraid of management.

The highest number of cases were reported in Okinawa,

Down here there is no "flu" season per say anymore, it's now common for people to catch the flu any time of the year.

But remember to go into work and infect everybody else- no days off work for you now!!!!!

Flu shot is definitely recommended. Best is to get the new Fluquadric vaccine if available. Many Doctors play the innocent and only prescribe the commonly available Flutriadric type. Fluquadric contains the B/Brisbane component, supposedly looking after the B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus .

DisillusionedJan. 15, 2016 - 07:01PM JST - flu shots only works on the ones that are known, and the reason a lot of people get the flu is because they mutate all the time. So in theory the flu shot works, but not on the new mutated strains.

Anyways happy hunting everybody. I plan to stay outside this season ;)

Well, thanks for letting us know. I feel so much better knowing its official. I wonder how many of this year's flu victims have had shots from that company that has been scamming everyone for decades. I have long known that flu shots don't work, which is why I have never had one. I haven't had the flu in twenty years either. Just wash your hands regularly and keep your fingers out of your nose and eyes.

A health ministry spokesperson said that there is no clear evidence of gargling’s effectiveness against catching influenza type illnesses.

Maybe not, but it sure makes my throat feel good...

I'm not holding my breath

Boom, Tish.

Does that mean we're allowed to catch flu now ?

It means that if you were feverish, with a cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache and fatigue before this announcement, it couldn't have been the flu. ;)

Citizens are being advised to wear protective face masks when in public areas, receive flu shots and thoroughly wash their hands.

As for the latter, I'm not holding my breath

Now Japan has five seasons (!)

Does that mean we're allowed to catch flu now ?