When the seasons change, we anticipate not only the arrival of wonderful, wet winter, but also his dreaded, miserable cousin: “The Flu”.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says the influenza season takes place between May and August. “Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the restrictions and non-pharmaceutical measures put in place to prevent SARS-COV-2 transmission have interrupted influenza transmission, with very little transmission during 2020 and out-of-season transmission occurring during spring of 2021,” they said in their March communique.
As a result, experts are expecting a resurgence of respiratory diseases, especially amongst young children since they’ve missed out on two years of being exposed to viruses, effectively diminishing their overall immunity.
How it spreads
Influenza, commonly called the flu, and rhinoviruses, commonly referred to as the cold, are both viral infections that attack the respiratory system. The difference is that flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms.
The flu virus is spread by droplets when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. The droplets can be inhaled directly or you can pick up the germs from a surface, which are then transferred to the nose, mouth, or eyes. It takes about a day before flu symptoms appear, but people may be contagious for three to five days after symptoms start. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for longer.
Flu prevention tips
If you’ve had flu before, you already have antibodies to fight that specific strain. That said, flu viruses are constantly changing as new strains regularly appear. Here are 8 tips for preventing colds and the flu.
1. Get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is still considered the best defense against the flu. While it can reduce your risk and severity of flu, it isn’t 100% effective.
2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
When people have a cold or the flu, avoid close contact with them. If you’re sick, keep a distance from others.
3. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze/ cough
When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (or your elbow!) to prevent the spread of germs.
4. Keep your hands clean
Washing your hands often with soap and water will help protect you from germs. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available.
5. Do a nasal rinse
To prevent a stuffy nose or if your nose gets stuffy, a nasal rinse can help. Also known as a sinus flush or nasal irrigation, this is a self-care practice in which you rinse your nasal passages with a saline solution. This can help to open up the nasal passages and flush out mucus and irritants from your nose.
To make a saline solution, mix three teaspoons of iodine-free salt to one teaspoon of
baking soda. Then, mix one teaspoon of the salt and baking soda mixture to one cup of water (it’s best to use cooled boiling water).
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
If your hands are contaminated with germs, they can spread as you touch your eyes, mouth or nose, or other surfaces.
7. Keep personal items separate
According to the National Health Service, flu viruses can survive on surfaces for about 24 hours, leaving plenty of time for germs to spread among family members; and it takes only one sick person to quickly infect the rest. To avoid the spread of germs, keep personal items separate, including:
• drinking glasses
• utensils
• toothbrushes
• towels
8. Strengthen your immune system by practicing good health habits
It’s important to keep your immune system strong by eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, spending time in nature, exercising, managing your stress, and ensuring that you’re getting the right nutrients for your body.
For a complete list on how to strengthen your immune system, read: 7 Ways to strengthen your immune system through nature and nurture.
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References
1. Bastier, P. L., Lechot, A., Bordenave, L., Durand, M., & de Gabory, L. (2015). Nasal irrigation: From empiricism to evidence-based medicine. A review. European annals of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck diseases, 132(5), 281–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anorl.2015.08.001 [EA]
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu. Accessed on 11 April 2022. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm [CDC]
3. Dresden, D. (2020). How does a sinus flush work?. Medical News Today [Online]. Accessed on 11 April 2022. Available from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sinus-flush#_noHeaderPrefixedContent [MNT]
4. Jovinally, J. (2020). The Secrets to Never Getting Sick. Healthline [Online]. Accessed on 11 April 2022. Available from https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/cold-flu-secrets [HL]
5. Mayo Clinic. Influenza (flu). Mayo Clinic [Online]. Accessed on 11 April 2022. Available from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719 [MC]
6. Monama, T. 2022. Why there has been a resurgence of respiratory diseases in South Africa. News 24 [Online]. Available from https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/why-there-has-been-a-resurgence-of-respiratory-diseases-in-south-africa-20220331 [N]
7. National Institutes of Health. (2014). Cold, Flu, or Allergy?. News in Health. Know the Difference for Best Treatment. Accessed on 11 April 2022. Available from https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/10/cold-flu-or-allergy [NIH]
