Department of health urges public to get flu vaccine

The Department of Health has urged members of the public to take measures to protect themselves and their loved ones against respiratory infections which are expected to increase over the winter season.

“Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is currently at peak circulation in the country, while influenza virus infections are starting to increase,” spokesperson Foster Mohale said.

“Covid-19 continues to circulate at low levels.”

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has a surveillance system which monitors the circulation of respiratory viruses and has notified the department that it is the peak season of RSV.

“[RSV] can be confused with Covid-19 or SARS-CoV-2 due to common symptoms,” Mohale said.

“The RSV virus causes illness mainly in young children but also contributes to respiratory illness in older individuals.

“Influenza virus season usually follows RSV, and we are starting to see an increase in cases.”

While most diseases caused by influenza, RSV and SARSCoV-2 viruses were mild, these viruses could cause severe illness and even death among people with conditions placing them at high risk of severe disease.

The influenza season was expected to start in the next few weeks and it was advisable those at high risk of severe influenza (adults aged 65 years and older, people with underlying illness such as heart and lung disease and people living with HIV and tuberculosis, as well as pregnant people) to get the influenza vaccine to prevent severe health complications in case they contract this virus.

Influenza vaccine is available in public clinics free of charge on a first come, first serve basis to people falling into the above-mentioned risk groups. The vaccine can also be purchased in the private sector at several pharmacies for other people who fall in the high-risk groups as well as for those who do not fall into one of the risk groups, but who would like to protect themselves from influenza.

The influenza virus spreads mainly from one person to another by respiratory droplets and co-infections with other respiratory viruses can occur.

Prevent spreading the influenza virus:

Always cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze;

Stay at home when you’re sick;

Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands;

Avoid close contact with others when you are sick especially those at risk of severe disease.

Some of the common symptoms of RSV include, but are not limited to:

Runny nose; decrease in appetite; coughing; sneezing; fever, and wheezing.

Parents and caregivers are urged to take their children who experience difficulties with breathing, not drinking enough fluids and experience deteriorating symptoms to the nearest health facility or healthcare providers for medical attention. People infected with influenza are contagious for 3 to 8 days. Preventative measures such as wearing of masks and social distancing are recommended for those who are ill.