The seasonal flu (influenza) and the common cold are two viral infections that are contracted many times in a person’s life. These conditions are not life threatening in a healthy person and within 3 to 5 days, the most severe stages of the infection should pass.
It is not unusual to get the flu or cold at least two times in a year. Some people may contract these infections more often if they are stressed, not eating well, living in colder environments or do not live a healthy lifestyle. However, frequent colds and flu should be investigated to identify other underlying disorders that may be impairing the immune functioning, like HIV/AIDS.
Influenza or the seasonal flu is a highly infectious acute viral infection caused by the influenza virus. It affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and occasionally the lungs. The symptoms may last from a few days to a week and a person generally improves without any active treatment. It can become extremely severe and may even be life-threatening, especially in people at risk such as the elderly, very young children, or those with certain medical conditions like HIV/AIDS.
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With the reports of swine flu deaths increasing in South Africa, the focus now lies on identifying high risk groups prone to fatalities from the H1N1 virus and either vaccinating or starting treatment immediately. Globally, the high risk groups were considered to be children, patients with chronic conditions, pregnant women, the elderly and health care workers. However, as the time passes and a clearer ‘disease picture’ emerges, it appears that pregnant women are among the higher risk, while the elderly are less at risk than younger people. South Africa has been the first country to announce immediate treatment for any pregnant woman in the second or third trimester with many other countries now following suit.
The concern about the increasing swine flu (2009 H1N1 flu) infections in South Africa has prompted the Department of Health to follow suit, along with other countries, in considering a vaccination program for South Africans. The concern around the current 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic is that South Africa’s HIV positive citizens may be the most prone. Given the high HIV/AIDS infection rate in South Africa, this could have a detrimental effect on the adult population of the country.
The flu season in South Africa, often said to be between May and September, is not usually a cause for concern given the short duration of influenza or the ‘common’ cold’. However the recent spread of swine flu (H1N1 flu) coupled with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa will undoubtedly prove to be worrying factors in the upcoming flu season. Swine flu, the common cold and the annual flu are viral infections that can be effectively managed with little need for emergency medical attention should sufferers identify their infections at an early stage, seek medical assistance and take the necessary steps to recover as in any other flu season.
Recent deaths in the United States and Canada due to the H1N1 flu has once again raised concern about the swine flu virus. South Africa has been unscathed by the H1N1 flu outbreak and the local health authorities have assured South Africans that the country is prepared for any spread of swine flu among the population. However the recent deaths and new infections in first world countries indicates that H1N1 flu is spreading although it had drastically slowed in recent weeks. With travellers from Asia and Africa arriving in South Africa daily, countries with a less vigilant national health body may not be detecting or reporting cases of H1N1 flu among their citizens.
