Your Consulting Pathologists | www.ampath.co.za
🦠 What is Influenza?
Influenza (“Flu”) is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus.
It can range from mild illness to life-threatening disease.
Key Details:
- There are three main types of influenza: A, B, and C
- In South Africa, flu season typically runs from April to October
- Each season, two subtypes of influenza A and one of B usually circulate
- These are known as seasonal influenza strains
🐷 What is “Swine Flu”?
- Influenza viruses mutate over time
- Sometimes large mutations result in new strains with no existing immunity
- “Swine flu” refers to the H1N1 strain that caused a global pandemic in 2009
- Today, it is a normal seasonal strain and is included in the annual flu vaccine
- Its symptoms and treatment are identical to other strains of influenza A
🤧 How Does Influenza Spread?
- Droplets from coughing or sneezing
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then your mouth, nose, or eyes
- The incubation period is typically 1–4 days
Infectious Period:
- From 1 day before symptoms to about 1 week after
- Young children, severely ill, and immunocompromised persons may spread it for >10 days
🩺 Symptoms of Influenza
- Fever
- Body aches
- Headache
- Severe fatigue
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Occasionally: diarrhoea and vomiting
Influenza is generally more severe than the common cold
The common cold is usually not associated with fever or body aches
⚠️ Who Is at Risk for Severe Illness?
High-risk groups include those prone to serious complications such as:
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
- Myocarditis (heart infection)
- Encephalitis (brain infection)
Each year in South Africa:
- An estimated 6,000–11,000 people die from influenza
- About half of the deaths occur in the elderly
- About one-third occur in HIV-positive individuals
💉 Testing for Influenza
- Ampath tests for Influenza A and B using a nasal or throat swab
- PCR testing is the most accurate method
- Detects the genetic material of the virus
💊 Can Influenza Be Treated?
- Most people recover with rest and symptom relief
- Those with severe illness or in high-risk groups may need antivirals (e.g., Tamiflu)
- Your doctor will advise if treatment is necessary
🛡️ How Can Influenza Be Prevented?
1. Vaccination
- The best defense against influenza
- Updated annually with three strains:
- Influenza A(H1N1)
- Influenza A(H3N2)
- Influenza B
- Best time to vaccinate: March/April
- Takes 2 weeks to develop protection
- Vaccination is especially important for high-risk groups
2. Good Hygiene Practices
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Wash hands regularly with soap and water
- Use alcohol-based hand rub if water is unavailable
- Avoid touching your face
- Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly
👨⚕️ What to Do if You Have Influenza
- Stay in bed to prevent spreading it
- Drink fluids to avoid dehydration
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- See a doctor or go to hospital if you experience:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Frequent vomiting
📌 Who Should Be Vaccinated?
Persons at High Risk:
- Children under 2 years
- Elderly (over 65 years)
- People with:
- Heart, lung, kidney, or endocrine diseases
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Immunosuppression (e.g., HIV)
- Morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40, or ≥ 35 with related conditions)
- Pregnant women (including 2 weeks post-partum)
- Children on chronic aspirin therapy
Annual Vaccination Recommended For:
- Children 6 months to 5 years
- People over 65
- Residents of old-age homes or long-term care facilities
- People with chronic medical conditions (e.g., asthma, TB, cardiac, renal)
- Those on long-term aspirin therapy (6 months – 18 years)
- Pregnant women (any trimester or 2 weeks after delivery)
- Healthcare workers
- Family contacts of high-risk individuals
📍 Ampath National Laboratory Services
🌐 www.ampath.co.za