Swine flu in Mokopane

WITH the cold of the winter months swine flu is also a reality in Mokopane and several cases have been reported according to the doctors in town.

July 10, 2015

Charmaine Lourens 1 minute read

MOKOPANE – WITH the cold of the winter months swine flu is also a reality in Mokopane and several cases have been reported according to the doctors in town.

People of all ages can get it and those with weak lungs should be especially careful. The symptoms are a high fever, cough, nausea, fatigue or tiredness, a sore throat, body aches, headache and chills.

Symptoms_of_swine_flu

Dr Walter van Wyk told Bosveld that swine flu and the common flu are almost identical. Human swine flu is caused by a new strain of influenza-A virus. The name comes from a strain of the virus that is found in pigs. In 2009 a new strain of the swine flu that effects humans was identified. Cases of human swine flu have been confirmed all over the world and since the outbreak of the virus, much have been done to treat patients with the right medication. According to Dr Van Wyk, the high risk groups for swine flu are pregnant women, young children, people above the age of 50 and those suffering from an existing illness or certain medical conditions such as heart or lung diseases like asthma. The symptoms of extreme cases include pneumonia and respiratory failure. “Swine flu enters the body through the mucous membranes like the mouth, nose or eyes. It spreads like the regular seasonal flu and goes from one person to another through close contact. When a person coughs or sneezes without covering his nose or mouth, the virus spreads out over a radius of one meter. If a healthy person standing nearby inhales the tiny droplets, they may get infected. You can also get infected by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus also spreads directly form skin to skin contact through gestures like kissing and hugging and shaking hands. It also spreads by sharing drinking glasses.”

Dr Van Wyk said it is important to take preventative measures. A flu vaccination is reccommended. Use tissues and wash your hands frequently and consult with your doctor as soon as you start to feel unwell with flu-like symptoms.