This year’s flu season arrived early. The Kanto Smart Living Cooperative reminds the public to keep their throat moist and drink room-temperature water to help prevent infection.
TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – This year, the flu outbreak in Japan started about a month earlier than usual, and the proportion of children among those infected this season has increased significantly. Medical experts urge that in addition to strengthening public health measures, such as classroom ventilation and wearing masks in crowded environments, daily throat care and maintaining immunity are also important steps in preventing infection.
If the throat is kept moist, foreign objects can be expelled through phlegm and coughing, or swallowed with saliva and destroyed by stomach acid, thereby reducing the chance of infection. Therefore, maintaining a moist and healthy throat is crucial for preventing infectious diseases such as the flu.
Many people are accustomed to relying on throat lozenges or tea to moisturize their throats, but experts warn that caution should be exercised when choosing. Many throat lozenges are high in sugar, which has a hygroscopic effect and may actually make the throat drier. Similarly, while caffeinated teas may seem mild, caffeine stimulates urination, leading to dehydration, and some people may even find their throats drier after drinking tea.
Medical experts point out that room temperature water is the ideal choice for moisturizing the throat. Cold water may lower body temperature, while excessively hot water may irritate the mucous membranes. It is recommended to hydrate in small amounts frequently to maintain throat moisture and normal defense functions.
In addition to hydration, maintaining ambient humidity is also important for respiratory health. Studies suggest keeping home humidity between 50-60%, which can reduce throat dryness and lower viral activity. Furthermore, wearing a mask not only blocks droplets but also reduces moisture loss from the throat.
Kanto Smart Living Cooperative also offers reminders on cultivating proper throat care habits. The agency pointed out that the public should be more proactive in maintaining daily hydration, carrying a water bottle and sipping room temperature water, while avoiding sugary throat lozenges or caffeinated drinks as a substitute for water. Furthermore, maintaining adequate humidity at home helps protect the throat’s mucous membranes, and good sleep, avoiding overuse of the voice, and reducing stress can effectively boost immunity and reduce the risk of infection.
Experts remind that as winter approaches and the climate becomes colder and drier, viruses can survive longer, making the respiratory tract more susceptible to irritation. With the flu season starting earlier and warmer, protecting the throat and boosting immunity by drinking room temperature water and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and environmental humidity will become important steps in daily personal protection.
Media Contacts:
Kanto Smart Living Cooperative
PR Agency:
MERXWIRE INC.
Ada Huang
pr@merxwire.com
SOURCE: Kanto Smart Living Cooperative
