The facts about flu and colds
COMMON colds and flu infections occur during winter flu season, and myths get passed around about how people can prevent getting the flu.
In an article, a medical epidemiologist at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Sibongile Walaza; a medical doctor at the NICD Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, Dr Bracha Chiger; and the co-head of the Centre for Respiratory Disease and Meningitis, NICD, Cheryl Cohen, said that myths range from confusion about what flu is, to how it is transmitted.
Walaza said both flu and colds are respiratory illnesses, but caused by different viruses. A cold presents with a runny nose or congestion and generally does not result in serious complications. However, flu can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, she said.
“A serious flu infection may require admission to the hospital, especially in high-risk groups for severe flu complications: pregnant women, people over 65, children under 2, and people with underlying medical conditions such as kidney or lung disease and diabetes.
“Most people will recover from the flu within three to seven days.”
On rumours of flu vaccine resulting in a cold, Walaza said the vaccine does not contain a live virus, which means one cannot get flu from it. However, she said many other types of respiratory viruses can cause similar signs and symptoms to flu. In most cases, the illness was incorrectly attributed to a flu shot one had. Walaza emphasised that the vaccine takes two weeks to work, and one can catch flu during this period.
Dr Chiger said the vaccine was not 100% effective, and its effectiveness depended on the age and health of the person being vaccinated. “The efficacy of the vaccine also varies from year to year depending on how the vaccine matches the circulating flu strain. The only way to catch the flu is by being exposed to the flu virus,” said Chiger.
Talking about the myth that antiviral medication should always be prescribed for flu, the experts said treatment for flu was largely directed at reducing the signs and symptoms of flu, like a runny nose, body pains, and tiredness. Bed rest, plenty of fluids, and symptomatic relief of cough, congestion and fever are advised.
Individuals at risk of serious complications or very sick individuals may be prescribed antiviral medication. But this needs to be prescribed in the first 24-48 hours from the onset of symptoms for it to be most effective.