On February 3, Taiwan-based actress Xu Szuhsuan (Da S), 48, passed away due to "influenza complicated by pneumonia," confirmed by her family.
The news of her death has sparked widespread condolences, including messages from tech mogul Lei Jun and singer Liu Ruoying.
**Background on Xu Szuhsuan's Passing**
Xu and her family traveled to Japan on January 29 (Lunar New Year's Day). Despite feeling unwell beforehand, she proceeded with the trip to reunite with relatives. Her condition worsened over four days but escalated sharply on February 2, leading to sudden pneumonia-related death.
**Japan's 25-Year Worst Flu Outbreak**
Japan's Ministry of Health declared a record-breaking flu season in 2025. Influenza indicators for December 2024 reached three times the same period in 2023 and the highest since 1999. The severe outbreak forced nationwide school and institution closures.
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### **Why Influenza Can Be Deadly**
While many assume "influenza" (流行性感冒) refers to a common cold due to the shared name, it is far more severe. The WHO estimates 3–5 million global重症 cases and 290,000–650,000 deaths annually.
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### **01. Complications of Influenza**
High-risk groups include children under 5, adults ≥65, pregnant women, postpartum individuals (within 2 weeks), and those with chronic illnesses. Even healthy young adults are not immune.
#### **Common Complications**
- **Pneumonia**:
- *Viral Pneumonia*: Persistent high fever (3–5 days post-flu) with respiratory distress, rapid progression, and life-threatening risks for those with lung/cardiovascular issues.
- *Bacterial Pneumonia*: Recurrence of fever and purulent sputum after initial improvement, often caused by *Staphylococcus aureus*.
- *Mixed Infection*: Symptoms may worsen gradually or relapse briefly.
- **Cardiac Complications**: Myocardial ischemia, infarction, or heart failure (affecting ~12% of adult cases).
- **Neurological Complications**: Seizures (common in children/epileptics), encephalitis, strokes, or Guillain-Barré syndrome (rare in adults).
- **Musculoskeletal Issues**: Severe myositis/myoglobinuria (excruciating muscle pain, dark urine—more common in children).
- **Toxic Shock Syndrome**: Linked to secondary *Staphylococcus* infections, observed in healthy children/adults during recent flu outbreaks.
- **Secondary Infections**: Pneumonia (other viruses/bacteria), sepsis, meningitis, or fungal infections.
Seek immediate care if fever persists >5 days, recurs after subsiding, or symptoms worsen after 3–5 days.
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### **02. Differences Between Influenza and Common Cold**
| Symptom | Influenza | Common Cold |
| Onset | Sudden | Gradual |
| Fever | High (≥39°C) | Low or absent |
| Body Aches | Severe (muscle/joint pain) | Mild |
| Fatigue | Pronounced | Mild |
| Duration | 1–2 weeks (could extend) | 3–7 days |
| Complications | Common (pneumonia, etc.) | Rare |
**Note**: Rapid antigen tests or PCR are the most accurate for diagnosis.
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### **03. What to Do If You Have Influenza**
#### **Mild Cases (No Complications)**
- Adults: Fever/respiratory symptoms resolve in ~3 days; full recovery may take 10–14 days (longer in elderly/immunocompromised). Fatigue may persist weeks.
#### **Severe Cases (Hospitalization Required)**
- Dehydration, respiratory failure, altered mental status, or complications like pneumonia.
#### **Antiviral Therapy Guidelines**
- **Initiate treatment immediately** if:
- You’re high-risk (regardless of symptoms/severity).
- You’re exposed to high-risk individuals.
- Symptoms worsen beyond 3 days or complications arise.
- **Consider antivirals within 48 hours** if:
- Non-high-risk individuals with mild symptoms but need to return to work/school.
- **Avoid antivirals** if:
- Symptomatic >48 hours and no high-risk contacts/comorbidities.
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### **04. Using Influenza Antiviral Drugs**
- **Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)**: Inhibits viral shedding; effective against A/B strains but not other viruses (e.g., colds).
- **Resistance**: Misuse can lead to drug resistance—ensure proper indications.
- **Expert Advice**: For elderly/pregnant patients, early antiviral therapy is critical. Vaccination and healthy habits (balanced nutrition, rest, exercise) are key for prevention.
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This article incorporates information from public sources and the "Anhui Drug Supervision" WeChat account. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
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The translation maintains medical accuracy while prioritizing readability. Key terms (e.g., medical conditions, drug names) follow standardized English terminology. Data and timeframes are preserved precisely.