'Mysterious cold' causes a stir in Japan.

Following the Golden Week holiday, many Japanese people reported experiencing sore throats and persistent coughs lasting for weeks, despite not having a high fever or the flu or COVID-19, raising concerns about a new form of respiratory illness.

In Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, a phenomenon dubbed the "mysterious cold" is causing a stir on social media after many people experienced unusually prolonged respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, persistent cough, runny nose, and excessive phlegm, but without a high fever.

According to local broadcaster KBC News, many Japanese citizens have recently been posting about experiencing a "strange cold" after the Golden Week holiday in early May. In many cases, flu and COVID-19 tests came back negative, but symptoms persisted for days, even weeks.

A cough that lasts for weeks even without a fever.

According to Japanese media, many patients reported experiencing symptoms similar to a common cold, such as sore throat, runny nose, productive cough, and fatigue. However, the difference is that the illness lasts longer than usual.

Some people report coughing for weeks, losing their voice, or experiencing severe sore throats but without a high fever, or even no fever at all. Because of this, a wave of posts on Japanese social media have emerged calling it the "mysterious cold."

Many people share that even after taking common cold medicine, their symptoms don't improve significantly, especially persistent coughing and feelings of exhaustion.

People seek treatment for a "mysterious cold" at the Ito Oji Kamiya Internal Medicine and Surgery Clinic. Photo: Ito Oji Kamiya Clinic/FNN.

What do the experts say?

According to FNN Prime Online, in response to growing attention, the Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association held a press conference on May 20th regarding the "mysterious cold" phenomenon.

The association stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest this is a new virus or an unknown disease. Doctors believe it is more likely a simultaneous increase in several seasonal respiratory illnesses.

According to experts, possible contributing factors include rhinovirus, RSV, adenovirus, Covid-19, or hMPV (human metapneumoniovirus) – all common respiratory viruses.

Dr. Hiromichi Ito, Director of the Ito Oji-Kamiya Clinic for Internal Medicine and Surgery, stated: "This trend has become stronger since the Golden Week holiday. From around April, when the number of flu cases gradually decreases, cold viruses, which have always been waiting, begin to invade the human body. There are hundreds of types of cold viruses."

According to Dr. Hiromichi Ito, the cause is fatigue from being busy and lack of sleep in April and May, followed by a sudden increase in temperature and people starting to use air conditioners. Air conditioners dry out the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, while the body is excessively cold, weakening the immune system and making people more susceptible to infections.

Besides viruses, erratic weather conditions, temperature differences between day and night, pollen, PM2.5 fine dust, and yellow sand from outside can also irritate the respiratory tract, prolonging symptoms.

However, because the symptoms overlap with those of several different diseases, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause without specialized testing. The Fukuoka Medical Association stated that samples are being analyzed to identify the causative agent, but this process could take several months.

Do not be complacent if symptoms persist.

Experts say that most cases are not too dangerous for healthy people. However, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions still need to be especially cautious.

People are advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent fever, or a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks to rule out pneumonia or other serious respiratory illnesses.

Japanese health authorities also recommend that people continue to maintain familiar preventative measures such as wearing masks in crowded places, washing hands frequently, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and limiting contact with others when experiencing symptoms.

Authorities also urged people to eat soy-based foods to boost immunity and to practice good hygiene to minimize the presence of pathogens on the body.

Source: https://znews.vn/cam-lanh-bi-an-gay-xon-xao-tai-nhat-ban-post1653804.html