Beware of the flu
Zululanders are urged to have influenza vaccines as soon as it becomes available at a pharmacy or healthcare centre.
AS the colder weather approaches, people are urged to have the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available at a pharmacy or healthcare centre.
The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) recently announced there was a delay in the availability of the influenza vaccine for 2015.
This was due to a change in influenza viruses circulating during the 2014 season and these strains had to be included in the 2015/16 vaccines.
This resulted in delays in manufacturing and quality control of the 2015 southern hemisphere vaccine globally.
Influenza or ‘flu is a contagious respiratory illness and can cause mild to severe illness.
It can also make chronic health problems worse or lead to pneumonia which could lead to death.
Dr Robyn Holgate, of ER24, urged people to get vaccinated.
‘It is never too late to vaccinate, even though it may take up to two weeks to develop sufficient protection for the winter months.
‘I am glad the correct strains were included in the vaccination for the coming season, even if it meant the vaccine arriving a little late,’ she said.
Dr Holgate said the reason why people develop ‘flu, even though they had the vaccine, is because they may be infected with one of the strains not included in the current vaccine.
The influenza vaccine is usually a preparation against the three most probable strains of the virus for the current ‘flu season.
These strains are A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, A/Switzerland/9715293/2013(H3N2)-like virus and A B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus.
It is important to note that influenza is different from a cold.
Dr Holgate said the key difference between colds and influenza is the very high temperatures associated symptoms of influenza.
People usually develop influenza suddenly.
Symptoms include fever, headaches, cough, runny or blocked nose, body aches and tiredness.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women, irrespective of the stage of pregnancy, should get vaccinated.
Women who are still within their two weeks after delivery should also have the vaccination.
Dr Holgate said a recent trial conducted in South Africa proved the safety of the influenza vaccine for pregnant women. She said pregnant women must have the vaccination as they are high risk for influenza.
Other high-risk groups
Adults and children who are receiving regular medical care for conditions like chronic pulmonary and cardiac disease, chronic renal diseases, diabetes and similar metabolic disorders.
People who are immunosuppressed (including HIV infected people) and those who are morbidly obese (BMI=40 kg/m2) should also have the vaccine.
Adults and children who come into contact with those who are high-risk.
People over the age of 65.
Children between the ages of six months and five years.
