Netizens share experiences of illness after Japan trip

The recent death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who contracted the flu during a trip to Japan, has sparked a flurry of online discussions. On an online forum, a thread was coincidentally posted asking if anyone had experienced significant illness after visiting Japan, attracting numerous responses from travelers.

One netizen, who initiated the thread on January 24, shared that they had been suffering from a fever since returning from Tokyo two weeks prior. Despite visiting the doctor twice, they were still dealing with a raspy voice and a runny nose.

While some respondents reported no health issues following their trips to Japan in early November, others shared varied experiences. These ranged from entire families falling ill after their return to individuals getting sick within the first few days of their visit. A few even mentioned that recovery from their illnesses took over a month.

However, some forum members noted that the prevalence of sickness was not unique to Japan, as many people in Hong Kong were also falling ill. They argued that it was unfair to solely blame Japan, noting that there were few signs of widespread flu during their visits.

The discussion also touched on potential causes for the illnesses, with many citing factors such as inadequate personal hygiene, poor health, cold weather, and fatigue.

As the conversation continues, those planning trips to Japan are taking heed, vowing to follow preventive measures closely to avoid falling ill. Others reassured that with time and care, most illnesses would resolve on their own.

In light of Hsu's death, which occurred during a family New Year trip to Japan, some netizens expressed concerns that this might deter others from traveling there. 

Additionally, a recent case involved a 50-year-old woman from Hong Kong who, after visiting Osaka, was diagnosed with influenza A and group A streptococcus. She was critically ill and admitted to the intensive care unit.