Health Focus
Common winter respiratory viruses include a variety of illnesses like influenza “the flu”, the common cold which can be caused by a few different viruses, and a few others like RSV and COVID19. These are all distinctly different illnesses but there are overlaps in terms of symptoms.
While there are no vaccines for many of the respiratory viruses, there are vaccines against the flu which are highly effective. They are not live vaccines, meaning that the vaccine cannot give you the flu, but sometimes there is an immune response to the vaccination where occasionally people get a mild fever or body aches within a day or two of being vaccinated. This immune response is usually a good sign of your immune system responding to the vaccination and building up the body’s defences.
Flu vaccines are safe and effective, but take two weeks to work so you could still contract the flu in the two weeks after being vaccinated. It is still of benefit to get vaccinated even once the flu season has begun as the flu circulates in the population for a number of months.
The vaccines are reformulated annually based on international trends of the strains circulating. The current flu strains circulating in South Africa are all covered by both the three-strain and four-strain vaccines currently available in the country, including the A(H1N1) strain (previously known as ‘swine flu’ because it was also causing disease in pigs).
Flu symptoms typically come on very quickly and can include a sudden high temperature, body aches, fatigue, a dry cough, a sore throat, diarrhoea or stomach pain, and a headache.
Small children have similar symptoms but can also appear less active and may complain of earache.
A cold tends to come on more gradually, predominantly affects the nose and throat, and makes you feel unwell, but usually well enough to do daily activities.
If you have these symptoms you should rest, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, keep warm, and take over the counter medication to treat the high temperature and the aches and pains. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as the flu and will not speed up your recovery.
For babies and children, people over 65 years, pregnant individuals, people with underlying chronic medical conditions, and people with weakened immune systems, the flu can result in more serious illness and various complications. If you fall into one of these groups you should consult with a doctor if you develop symptoms suggestive of the flu.
If you develop any sudden onset of chest pain, have difficulty breathing or cough up large amounts of blood, you should seek urgent medical attention.
Flu is very infectious and spreads easily to other people. You are more likely to infect others within the first five days of your illness. It is spread through germs from coughs and sneezes which can live on hands and surfaces for around 24 hours. To reduce the risk of spreading the flu you should wash your hands frequently, and cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze preferably with a tissue or the bend of your elbow, not your hand. Used tissues should be discarded as quickly as possible.
Try to stay home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your daily activities.
Being outside when it rains doesn’t mean you’ll contract one of the viruses mentioned above. However if you’re wet and cold for a prolonged period this may negatively impact your immune system, making it more likely to get a cold.
Dr Orit Laskov has been offering her services in private care in Sea Point for over 10 years, warmly welcoming patients across all age groups. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based and ethical medical practices. She is a managing partner at My Family GP in the Sea Point Medical Centre. Her commitment to healthcare is further exemplified in her role at Highlands House Home for the Aged, where she serves both as a trusted General Practitioner and the Honorary Medical Superintendent.
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