Tshwane and the Department of Health are urging residents to take precautions and get a jab to prevent serious complications from flu.
Departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale said the National Institute for Communicable Diseases had alerted the department that the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was at its peak in the country, hence an increase in influenza infections was expected in the coming weeks.
He said the RSV could cause severe illness and even death among individuals with a comorbidity that put them at a higher risk of severe illness.
Mohale said people aged 65 years and older, heart and lung disease patients, people living with HIV and tuberculosis as well as expecting mothers might suffer the devastating effects of influenza.
“Taking the flu vaccine provides a vital line of defence and reduces the risk of severe complications,” he said.
Mohale said that with influenza virus infections beginning to rise while Covid-19 remains at low levels, it is important for people to remain alert for all respiratory viruses.
He said RSV usually affected young children but older individuals are not immune, and the virus shares common symptoms with Covid-19.
“The confusion between these viruses is a concern, especially during the peak RSV season,” he said.
He said the influenza vaccine is available free of charge at public clinics for those falling within the risk groups.
He added that several pharmacies in the private sector offer the vaccine to both high-risk individuals and those who wish to protect themselves from influenza.
Tshwane MMC for health Rina Marx said the virus is highly communicable and spreads through inhaling infected respiratory droplets from sneezing, coughing or talking.
She said a person can also be infected by touching contaminated objects or surfaces that the flu virus is on and then touching their mouth, eyes or nose.
Marx said symptoms include fever, a runny and congested nose, cough, tiredness, muscle pains, body aches, headaches, cold shivers and hot sweats.
“In some cases, flu can lead to more serious complications, including pneumonia,” she said.
She said the symptoms develop any time from one to four days after exposure and may last two to seven days.
She said residents can benefit from the jab as follows:
– reduced morbidity and mortality among vulnerable groups
– reduced transmission of the influenza virus
The following communities would benefit the most from the jab:
– healthcare workers
– people aged 65 and older
– sufferers from cardiovascular disease – including chronic heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes patients.
– sufferers from chronic lung disease – including asthma, tuberculosis and obstructive pulmonary disease patients
– pregnant women
– people living with HIV and AIDS.
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