Should you be worried about swine flu

Flu season isn’t anyone’s favourite season. It’s also not fun to wait to find out what kind of flu is going to make people ill. This year’s seasonal flu is influenza H1N1, but you may know it better as “swine flu”.

This kind of flu made headlines when it was first diagnosed in 2009 and many people became seriously ill. Now that it’s been around nearly a decade, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases says this kind of flu is now the same as any other seasonal flu and people who have it should be treated like any other person with flu.

You should pay attention to flu, even in spring

Our flu season starts in May and usually lasts until September. So even though the seasons are changing, you can still get the flu.

It’s also good to remember that while you can treat the symptoms of flu (like fever, body aches, a runny nose and diarrhoea), you have to wait for your body to fight the disease. Most people recover from flu in three to seven days with bed rest and by drinking lots of water.

If you don’t get better by resting, you should see a GP to check if you have a severe case or if you are developing complications like lung infections or viral pneumonia.

Sharing flu isn’t caring

Getting the yearly flu vaccine is your best protection against flu. If you have flu you can also help others by practicing good hygiene to keep flu from spreading. Wash your hands often and cough or sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue. Keep away from crowded spaces like sporting events.

Sources

National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Influenza press release 16 July 2018, accessed 27 August 2018
Latoya Newman. South Africa could see more cases of swine flu. Weekend Argus 8 July 2018, accessed 27 August 2018
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2009 H1N1 flu ("swine flu") and you, accessed 27 August 2018
NHS. Swine flu (H1N1), accessed 27 August 2018