South Africa’s influenza season has started. While most people recover fully from flu after a week or two without the need for any special treatment, this viral condition can cause serious illness, particularly for those at risk, including the elderly, pregnant women, and small children.

“The influenza or flu virus is particularly fast, clever and savvy at adapting, causing it to constantly evolve new strains to evade our immunity, which means we can become sick every flu season,” explains Dr Michael de Villiers, a general practitioner (GP) practising at Netcare Medicross The Berg.

“Every year, a new vaccination is typically developed for new and particularly bad flu strains. There are many cold and flu viruses to target, and scientists work hard to protect against the most threatening variations. However, it is not yet possible to include protection for all strains in the annual flu vaccine.

“Influenza is caused by a group of viruses, which are tiny invisible 'bugs', that have adapted to be highly efficient in spreading from person to person by remaining in the air or on surfaces after contamination. Symptoms commonly include body aches, fever, nasal congestion, tiredness and coughing, which can interfere with your ability to work or perform your usual daily activities,” he says. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recognise vaccination as the most effective way to prevent flu. 

“Explained in simple terms, vaccines act as ‘coaches’ that help to prepare the immune system to quickly defend itself from future invasions of a particular virus before it grows in the body and becomes overwhelming. It takes around two weeks to train the immune system to build up the firepower needed to fight off a full attack of the flu quickly,” Dr De Villiers says. 

“The influenza vaccine is generally recommended every year – especially for those at risk of severe flu with complications, which includes individuals who have challenges with their health, including those with chronic illness, children older than six months, those who are pregnant or planning pregnancy and people over the age of 60,” Dr De Villiers says. 

“The second group of people who should consider having the flu vaccine are those with high exposure for potential flu infection, such as healthcare workers, care workers or caregivers, and those who work with children, or live with people who are at higher risk, such as those with compromised immune systems. 

“It is important to remember that even if you do not get sick with the flu yourself, you can still carry it and pass the infection on to others, leading to wider transmission within communities. Therefore, we all have a role in preventing the spread of infection, including through non-pharmaceutical measures like practising good hand hygiene and staying home when you are ill,” he recommends.

“Vaccines are one of the tools in our arsenal to help reduce the severity of the worst flu infections in a season. If you are vaccinated, you can still get colds or flu; however, the illness is likely to be far less severe with a quicker recovery, compared to an untrained immune army dealing with a particularly nasty strain for the very first time.” 

“If you do fall ill, contrary to common belief, antibiotics are ineffective against colds and flu caused by a variety of viruses, which are a specific type of organism. Antibiotics are designed to kill harmful bacteria – a completely different and unrelated set of micro-organisms. There’s no point taking an antibiotic unless there is evidence that the problem is bacterial. For flu viruses, this would be comparable to using a fly swatter to kill a lion, and therefore not an effective or useful strategy in this situation,” he explains. 

Using medicine, like antibiotics, when you don’t need it can lead to unnecessary side effects, some of which can be really serious. This adds to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, which happens when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics faster than we can create new medicines to treat serious infections. 

“If you become sick this influenza season, the most effective treatment for most healthy people includes rest, good nourishment, hydration and patience. Simple and proven over-the-counter medicines and natural remedies, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and honey, are good starting points to get through the bad days of uncomfortable symptoms, provided there isn't a reason you can't take these in safe quantities. The flu can last up to 10 days, but most people feel better in about a week,” Dr De Villiers advises. 

“It's not a good idea to exercise when you are sick with a cold or flu, especially when it's 'below the throat' with symptoms affecting your chest, as this could put you at risk of serious heart muscle complications, amongst others. It's best to rest and allow your body to devote its resources to your immune army, as exercise can make the illness worse or prolong your illness,” he says.

“If flu is accompanied by any worrying or persisting symptoms, for example, chest pains, shortness of breath, fast breathing or drowsiness – particularly in children, blue discolouration, severe headaches and muscle pains, and if it is not responding to medicine, it’s important to consult a doctor immediately. 

“If you or your loved one has underlying health problems, medication problems, or any concern over the body's ability to fight off infection, please book an appointment to see your local GP for a check-up — we are always happy to help,” Dr De Villiers concludes. 

Find your nearest Netcare Medicross and make an appointment with a GP on the Netcare app or online at https://onlinebookings.medicross.co.za/.