Influenza Epidemic Commenced Sooner This Year
 The National Institute for Infectious Diseases said in a statement that the influenza season commenced sooner than usual this year and indicated that respiratory diseases were monitored on a regular basis by the South African medical profession did not mean that with the earlier advent of the epidemic it will be worse than in previous years.
With the advent of winter early incidences of influenza were recorded at the end of May and escalated during the first week in June, the Institute indicated. The incidence of H1N1 (Swine flu), which was so prevalent last year is still recorded this year but is now regarded as another seasonal strain of flu.
According to the Institute, most people will recover from flu by resting and drinking a lot of water but recommended that those in high-risk groups be treated with anti-viral medication as soon as symptoms of flu are detected.
The Following Groups Will Benefit From Flu Vaccination;
- Persons who are at high risk for influenza and it complications because of underlying medical conditions
- Residents of old age homes
- Children on long term aspirin therapy
- Medical and nursing staff responsible for the care of high-risk cases
- All persons over the age of 65
- Any person wishing to protect themselves from the risk of contracting influenza, especially in industrial environments where large-scale absenteeism may cause economic loss
How effective is the flu vaccine?
In healthy adults the efficacy is between 70-90%
In the elderly, non-institutionalised, hospitalisation is reduced between 25 and 39% and the overall mortality is reduced between 39-90%
School children are the major disseminators of influenza. The United States has incorporated into its guidelines, the routine immunisation of children between the ages of 5 to 59 months of age.
Vaccination is only part of the prevention process and cough and Sneeze Hygiene Is Particularly Important
The Government Communications and Information System on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development indicated that 30 000 doses of vaccine had been administered in that Province since April 2011and urged all those in the high risk groups to be vaccinated.
Reference: Information used is based on an article published in the media by Dr. A.M. Bux.
Pieter Rautenbach |
