GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - It is that time of the year again when the sounds of a nose being blown and coughing echo through school halls, places of work and public areas.

Influenza (flu) season has arrived. Every year, between May and August, South Africa experiences an increase in flu cases, says provincial Health spokesperson Nadia Ferreira.

In the majority of cases, flu is an uncomplicated illness lasting three to seven days. The illness is characterised by sudden onset of constitutional and respiratory symptoms such as fever, body pains, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and headache.

Prevention
However, for people within the high-risk category, flu can cause serious illness leading to hospitalisation and even death. Flu vaccination is especially important for such people. 

The provincial health department will thus be providing flu vaccines to these high-risk groups, such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with certain health conditions, such as heart, lung or kidney disease, nervous system disorders, or a weakened immune system.

Flu vaccines remain the primary means for preventing seasonal flu infection. Flu viruses are always changing, therefore each year’s vaccine is made specifically to protect against the viruses likely to cause disease that specific year. This is based on data collected from global influenza surveillance.

Vaccines available
The department received 86 085 vaccine units for those people at high risk, of which 12 150 are allocated to the Eden District, and members of the public are encouraged to be vaccinated to protect themselves, families, their children and colleagues from influenza.

Flu is highly contagious and is spread by respiratory droplets (from sneezing and coughing), touching surfaces that other people have touched and touching other people. It can spread easily especially in closed communities like schools, the workplace and institutions. 

General preventative precautions should be taken such as hand-washing and cough hygiene. Avoiding contact with people who are ill should also be considered.

How long is it contagious?
You can pass on the flu to someone else before you even know that you are sick, as well as while you are sick. A person with flu may be contagious one day before symptoms appear and for three to seven days after the onset of symptoms. 

Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, may be able to infect others for an even longer time.

When do symptoms appear?
The time from when a person is exposed to the virus to when symptoms begin is about one to four days, with an average of about two days.

Signs and symptoms

• Sudden onset of fever.
• Acute upper respiratory symptoms: dry cough, and sore throat.
• General symptoms: malaise, headache, fatigue, muscle pain and body aches, cold shivers, and hot sweats.
• Occassional vomiting and diarrhoea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Possible complications
While flu in most cases is mild, complications (particularly pneumonia) are always a concern in people with underlying conditions or certain risk factors.

• Signs to monitor are shortness of breath at rest or during usually tolerated activity, chest pain, low blood pressure, clinical or X-ray features of pneumonia and myocarditis.
• Complications involving other organs: ear infections, sinus infections, encephalitis, severe dehydration, renal failure and multiple organ failure.
• Worsening of underlying conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, hypertension, renal or liver insufficiency, congestive cardiac failure (CCF) and other cardiovascular diseases.

Who are at risk of complications?

• Pregnant women, and including the two-week period after delivery.
• Children younger than two years.
• People older than 65 years.
• People with existing chronic diseases (heart, lung, kidney, endocrine), eg. diabetes or asthma and persons who are immunosuppressed.
• Morbidly obese people – BMI of 40 or more or BMI of 35 or more with obesity-related health conditions.
• People 18 years old or younger receiving chronic aspirin therapy.

How safe is the vaccine?
The vaccine cannot result in influenza infection as there is no live virus contained within the vaccine. Some people experience mild fever and local pain at the injection site. Overall, the vaccine has an excellent safety record.

How do you prevent the spread of flu?

• Infected people should stay at home and try to limit contact with other people.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw away used the tissue in a bin.
• Wash your hands often with soap or use an alcohol-based hand rub, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
• Surfaces that are commonly touched should be cleaned and disinfected.

How do you treat flu?
Most of the treatment is generic and involves symptom relief unless the individual is very sick or at risk of developing complications. If you fall in this category, you need to see a doctor as you may need to take antiviral medication.

For uncomplicated cases at low risk, the prevention of further spread and the following measures are advised:

• Bed rest.
• Drink plenty of water and other clear fluids.
• Symptomatic treatment of cough, fever, nasal congestion, etc.

Antiviral agents such as Tamiflu are recommended for persons at risk of complications. These agents are not generally prescribed as a preventative measure. Routine laboratory testing of patients with influenza illness is not required.

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