Winter is here and the cold, short, gloomy days can really take their toll on our mood and health. It also means flu season has arrived – and it is a fact of life, says Dr Bobby Ramasia, principal officer of Bonitas Medical Fund.

“In winter we spend more time indoors, which means we are in closer contact with other people who may be carrying germs. Flu is not something to be sneezed at and worldwide up to 5-million people get seriously ill during flu season and about a quarter of a million die from it, so it makes sense to take the necessary precautions to stay well this season.”

What exactly is flu?

Flu is a viral infection that targets your head and chest. You’ll have a runny or stuffy nose (sometimes both on the same day), watery eyes, probably a sore throat and perhaps a cough. Your body will hurt, you’ll be tired and you’ll probably run a fever.

How do you know you have flu?

You may experience some of these symptoms:

– a high fever (higher than 39 degrees Celsius) with chills;

– dry cough or sore throat;

– blocked nose or nasal discharge;

– sweating and shivering;

– muscle aches and pains, especially in the legs; and

– fatigue and wanting to sleep all day.

And a cold?

Colds are viruses too. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are more than 100 viruses that cause colds. Like flu, colds hit the respiratory system causing a runny or stuffed nose, watery eyes, perhaps a sore throat and sometimes a cough. You might also get a low fever.

Unlike the flu, colds come on slowly. Most people can feel themselves getting sick at least a day in advance.

Dr Ramasia cautions about taking antibiotics unnecessarily. “Remember, taking antibiotics when you have a virus will not help and in some cases do more harm than good. Antibiotics only work on a bacterial infection and if you take them when they are not needed, your risk of developing an infection that is antibiotic resistant is increased.”

A bacterial infection

A bacterial infection may develop following infection with viral influenza, which is when an antibiotic can be taken. Signs of a bacterial infection include sinus problems, earache, a sore throat and a cough that lasts longer than seven to 10 days

Get a flu shot

A flu vaccine is the first line of defence when it comes to protecting yourself. Studies show that the vaccine reduces the risk of flu by about 50%–60%.

The flu vaccine causes antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination.  These antibodies provide protection against infection by the small quantities of viruses that are in the vaccine.

Most medical aids offer one free flu vaccine a year and it’s a good idea to take up the offer; otherwise, head to your doctor, pharmacy or clinic and pay for a vaccine. 

“The annual flu vaccine protects you against the current season’s three or four most common flu virus strains,” explains Dr Ramasia. “Besides protecting yourself, it also protects the people around you and it can make the illness milder.”

Bonitas advocates that everyone should protect themselves against the flu but that those in high-risk groups should definitely be vaccinated. These include people over 65 years old; those with chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and HIV; and anyone with a depressed immune system.

Why a vaccine every year?

The flu virus changes its genetic make-up, so it’s a challenge for medical science to keep up with these mutations – which is why it is impossible to create a single vaccine that can be used year after year. Instead, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitor each new strain of the flu virus as it appears; they assess which may be the predominant virus in the following year's flu season and then, using this data, develop a vaccine each year to be used against the specific virus.

To get better, take any prescribed medication, stay in bed, drink lots of fluids and give your body time to fight the infection.

Both flu and colds are contagious, which means you need to take time off work to recuperate. This will help avoid spreading the disease and with the help of anti-viral medications, supplements and bed rest, you can get yourself well quickly.

“About 14% of absenteeism in corporate South Africa is related to influenza,” says Dr Ramasia, “although the vaccine isn’t perfect and doesn’t guarantee 100% that you won’t get flu, it is by far the best way to lessen your chances of getting it. This is why we will pay the cost of flu vaccines for our members. So we urge South Africans to go and get a flu vaccination – it is a small way in which you can play your part in maintaining your wellness and keeping yourself healthy.”

Bonitas’s bug battler advice:

1. Keep drinking

Dry air – thanks to heaters and air conditioners – dehydrates mucous membranes and reduces their effectiveness in keeping diseases at bay, so keep hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water a day. Avoid alcohol, as this not only slows down your metabolism but also dehydrates your system.

2. Wash your hands

This simple task will go a long way in protecting you from cold and flu germs. Think of everything you and everyone else touches every day, from door handles and railings to telephones, counters and money. It’s advisable to wash your hands several times a day; in fact, it’s not a bad idea to wipe down your work areas too.

3. Avoid sick people

Easier said than done in an office environment, but if you do have a colleague who is coughing and sneezing, keep your distance and avoid shaking hands with that person.

Click here for more info: www.bonitas.co.za

This content was paid for by Bonitas. It does not involve Times Media journalists.