Talk of the town：Seasonal Influenza
【明報專訊】Hong Kong entered the influenza season in early January, with increasing influenza activity. According to government statistics for the first four weeks of 2025, there were 122 deaths. In over 70 percent of these severe or fatal cases, the paitent had not received the seasonal influenza vaccination.
What is the difference between a cold and influenza?
Both illnesses are caused by viruses, but influenza is usually more severe than a common cold. While a cold can make you feel a bit under the weather, influenza can make you feel very sick with symptoms like high fever, body aches, and extreme tiredness. In Hong Kong, seasonal influenza is more common during periods from January to March/April and from July to August.
How does vaccination work?
With the increase in influenza activity in Hong Kong and neighbouring countries, the Department of Health encourages people to receive seasonal influenza vaccination promptly to protect their health. But how does it work?
Vaccination acts like a shield that helps protect our bodies from getting sick. When you get a flu vaccine, it teaches your immune system (免疫系統) how to recognize and fight the flu virus. This way, if you come into contact with the flu virus in the future, your body will be prepared to defend itself, and you will be less likely to get sick. Vaccines are like superheroes that train our immune system to be strong and ready for battle against harmful viruses!
In addition to getting seasonal influenza vaccination, the Department of Health also encourages people to take other preventive measures, such as maintaining good personal hygiene by wearing masks, building up good immunity through a balanced diet and regular exercise, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting their homes.
■Game
Onomatopoeia (擬聲) is a literary device where the word phonetically suggests the sound that it describes. For example, 'achoo' commonly refers to the sound of sneezing. Match the words that describe sound with the following situations: (See the picture)
1. Bees flying around the flowers．
2. A sound that a bell makes．
3. Sound of a clock．
．A. tick tock
．B. buzz
．C. ding-dong
(Answers on next text)
■Grammar booster
Under the weather
If someone is or feels under the weather, they feel ill.
E.g. After catching a cold, Sarah felt under the weather and decided to stay home to rest.
■Gear up
1. Seasonal influenza is common in February in Hong Kong.
(True/False)
Fill in the blanks with the glossary below.
2.In parts of Africa there is ________ food shortage.
3. We try to answer customers' enquiries as ________ as we can.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
fatal (adj) 致命的
severe (adj) 非常嚴重的
promptly (adv) 迅速地
preventive (adj) 預防的
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第433期]
Grammar：Useful collocations
【明報專訊】Bill：Mr. Chan, I have trouble managing the relationship with my ... 詳情
