Flu – Hello Doctor

Preventing the flu naturally this winter

April 7th, 2021 by The Hello Doctor Team

The flu is not anything to sneeze at. It kills about 10,000 people of five years and older each year in South Africa. While that’s a relatively small number compared with the past year’s COVID-19 deaths, it’s still a heavy toll.

Comparing COVID-19 and the flu

Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2), and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Like SARS-CoV-2, flu is transmitted by hitching a lift on droplets from the upper respiratory tract, and by people transferring virus-carrying droplets by hand from surfaces to their nose, mouth and eyes. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu and causes more serious illnesses in some people. It can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer.

The impact of COVID-19 on the flu

Just like COVID-19, the flu virus transmission is prevented through masking, physical distancing, avoiding poorly ventilated indoor areas, good hand hygiene and isolating. Therefore, unsurprisingly, much fewer cases of the flu were reported in 2020 – both during lockdown, and afterwards (due to the COVID-19 hygiene practises in place). You may have even noticed that you haven’t had the same number of colds over the past year?

What this tells us is that basic principles are effective in preventing the transmission of germs that cause the common cold, the flu and even COVID-19. This is important because, as winter approaches, we don’t want to be faced with the prospect of a “double disease whammy”, COVID-19 plus the flu.

Preventing a “double whammy”

While waiting for the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine to gather some pace, here are 3 other ways you can improve your overall health and lower the risk of catching COVID-19 or the flu this winter.

Follow basic COVID-19 regulations

- Wash your hands
- Santitise
- Wear a mask
- Social distance
- Don’t attend large gatherings

Maintain a healthy immune system

- Eat well
- Move more
- Make sleep a priority
- Manage your stress
- Expose yourself to some daily sunshine

Get vaccinated: have an annual flu jab and accept a COVID-19 jab when it becomes available

Both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine are safe and effective. By having the flu jab, your risk of developing any severe complications, if you do happen to get flu, is reduced. This means you won’t be putting any strain on the health system. It also means that if you DO present with severe complications, your doctor can more easily exclude flu as a possible factor. Second, it lowers your risk of getting flu which automatically lowers your immunity. With a lower immunity, you’re more likely to pick up other infections… and in this case, COVID-19. Little information is available on the severity of COVID-19 and other viral co-infections. But a recent report suggests that influenza and COVID-19 co-infections may result in more severe disease in high-risk patients and complicate the diagnoses.

Coronavirus – how to stay calm and clean

March 12th, 2020 by The Hello Doctor Team

Where and when did it all begin?

On the 31^st of December 2019, China alerted the World Health Organisation to several patients with flu-like symptoms in a city called Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei province. Initial assessments of these patients ruled out “known” flu-like viruses including bird flu, seasonal flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Once these initial patients were assessed, they were placed into quarantine. The suspected source of the outbreak was identified as a busy seafood market in the city the following day. Days later Chinese authorities identified the virus, called Coronavirus, a family of viruses including the common cold, SARS and MERS. The new virus was named 2019-nCoV.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses were first discovered in the 1960s and their name comes from their crown or halo-like shape. Their danger lies in their ability to adapt. This means they can easily spread between and infect different species. While some coronaviruses can cause the common cold, others can develop into more serious illnesses that lead to difficulty breathing, pneumonia and death.

Where did it come from?

Scientists have confirmed that the Coronavirus, like around 70% of new human pathogens, was transmitted from an animal. Genetic analyses have come up short of pinpointing the culprit so far, but among the prime suspects is the pangolin, a long-snouted, ant-eating mammal virtually unknown in the West but widely prized in China as a delicacy and for its purported medicinal virtues. In February 2020, China placed a ban on trading and eating several different types of wildlife, including pangolin.

Spreading like wildfire

As a respiratory virus, Coronavirus is spread primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the infected person’s nose.

By mid-March, 2020, the virus had touched every continent, with more than 126,000 confirmed cases, and a total of 4,600 deaths. On 5^th March, the first South African case was confirmed in a resident of Kwa Zulu Natal who had recently travelled to Italy. (For live updates and virus tracking, visit https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6)

Who is at risk?

Those most at risk of contracting the Coronavirus include those who have existing heart or lung diseases, people with weakened immune systems (e.g. HIV, TB, diabetes or cancer), infants, and older adults.

What are the symptoms?

Patients who have contracted the virus have experienced fever, shortness of breath and coughing. The virus can also cause bronchitis and pneumonia, an infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs and can cause them to fill with fluid.

The incubation period for a virus is the time between catching the virus and showing symptoms of the disease. For Coronavirus, health officials estimate an incubation period of between one and 14 days. Most people start showing symptoms about five days after becoming infected.

What you can do to protect yourself

Most importantly: DON’T PANIC. Your best defence in preventing Coronavirus is a strong immune system. One of the biggest factors impacting immunity is stress, so the less time you spend worrying about contracting the virus and the more time you spend proactively staying healthy, the better your immunity becomes.

The media is abuzz with reporting new cases as they appear around the world. One aspect of Coronavirus seldom reported is the recovery rate. Of the 96,000 plus people who have contracted the virus, more than 55,000 have recovered.

To protect yourself and your family, follow these rules:

Wash your hands often, using the proper technique. If you only do 1 thing, make it this. Always use soap and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you wash and rub the entire hand surface, including the back of your hands.
Keep your distance. Aim to keep at least 1 metre between yourself and someone who is coughing or sneezing.
Fist pump don’t shake. Fist bumps transfer only about 10% of the number of germs that handshakes do (out of interest, high 5’s transfer around 50%)
Avoid touching your face. The average person touches their face around 23 times per hour. Germs on your hands are easily transferred into your body via the mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. Keep your hands busy by holding a pencil, or a stress ball
Practise respiratory hygiene. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing
Seek medical care early. Stay at home if you feel unwell, even if your symptoms are mild. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, reach out to Hello Doctor immediately and speak to our doctors anytime (24/7) about your own personal concerns, what you should do and where you can be tested if need be.

Social media is flooded with stories and images about the virus, many of which are not true. In the case of Coronavirus, knowledge is power. Limit your worry and anxiety by limiting your, and your family’s exposure to media coverage that you perceive to be upsetting. Stay informed about developments using reliable and reputable sites and channels only.

Busting a few myths about Coronavirus

Coronavirus cannot be transmitted through goods manufactured in China or any other country reporting cases
Having a hot bath will not prevent you from catching Coronavirus. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.
To date, there has been no evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.
Hand dryers are not effective in killing the virus
Spraying alcohol all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. There is also no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline can offer protection from coronavirus
Existing vaccines against pneumonia do not provide protection against the new coronavirus. Since the virus is so new and different, it needs its own vaccine
While garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties, there is no evidence it can prevent infection from Coronavirus
Antibiotics are powerless against Coronavirus since they are effective only against bacteria.

How to get bed rest when you have the flu

August 3rd, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your head is pounding, your nose is stuffy and you have a terrible cough. Your doctor suggested “bed rest”, but how are you supposed to rest when you feel awful?

When you have the flu, your body takes a toll and must repair itself. This means rest. Staying in bed and resting helps speed up the healing process while attempting to soldier through your symptoms will only leave you sick for longer. A healthy person who rests and follows their doctor’s prescribed medication should recover from the flu within 10 days. On the other hand, without bed rest, a healthy person will take longer to recover, may infect others with their flu and become sicker as the flu can become viral if left untreated.

Although you may think that resting at home is a waste of time, when your doctor says you need bed rest, you shouldn’t take it lightly. Here’s how to get proper rest when you’re sick.

Rest up

Drink something warm
If you’re suffering from the sniffles, drinking something hot will help loosen mucus. This will make it easier for you to breathe. The steam from a hot drink like soup or tea is what does the trick, as well as from a shower or bath. If you’re having tea, add some honey to soothe your throat and help with your cough.
Sit up in bed
Bed rest doesn’t literally mean that you must lay down for the entire day! Prop yourself up in bed while reading or watching television. When you lie down, a postnasal drip can build up which makes your throat sore and may cause you to cough. Use a few pillows to prop yourself up in bed. This will help you sleep better, and ease sinus pressure which lets up when your head is higher than your body.
Sleep alone
You’re more likely to get enough rest if you don’t have to share a bed with someone. So, if possible, sleep alone while you’re recovering from the flu. You’re also less likely to infect your partner or children.
Try medication
Besides sipping on hot drinks, ask your doctor or pharmacist about medication to help ease your symptoms or speed up your recovery. Make sure you follow your prescription carefully and don’t stop taking medication if you feel better! Talk to your doctor first.
Use a humidifier
Moisturise the air in your home and room with a vaporiser or humidifier. This will help to prevent your cold symptoms from drying out your airways. Remember to clean your humidifier or vaporiser regularly so that it won’t trap bacteria or mould.
Avoid alcohol
If you struggle to sleep, don’t turn to alcohol as a crutch. Alcohol can dehydrate you which can swell up your sinuses and keep you up at night. It can also react badly to any flu medication you may need to take.

Good to know

It usually takes two to three days from when you’re exposed to the flu or cold virus before you start feeling any symptoms. You may feel fine, but when the symptoms come on, it’s important to contain your germs. Containing your germs is important because if you infect others and stay around each other, your flu can spread and boomerang back to you, making it feel like you’ll never recover.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands regularly to prevent spreading germs.

References

How sick is too sick to go to work?

July 16th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Just how sick do you have to be to stay home? But how sick can you be to qualify for a day off?

Well, truth is if you’re really feeling unwell and especially if you have a fever, you need to stay home. You also have to consider whether you’re putting yourself or others at risk if you go to work.

If the symptoms of your condition, or the side-effects of medication could cause an injury or accident on the job, affect others, or if your work flow is interrupted and you can’t focus, then you need to stay at home.

Don’t put yourself and others at risk. Remember, some people are vulnerable to viruses and infections and can easily be infected; especially pregnant women, young children and older people.

Signs that you’re too sick to go to work:

Fever
Muscle aches and pains
Fatigue
Weakness
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoeah
Dizziness and confusion

According to research, airborne “breathing droplets” from sneezing and coughing commonly spread infectious germs. The flu virus can last for up to 24 hours depending on the surface. So, it’s recommended that you stay home until you’re fever-free for 24 hours.

Stay home, even if you think you’re feeling better especially if you have:

Limited access to a bathroom during the day.
Little or no way to wash your hands often.
Nowhere to store or use any medication you need.
To directly work with the public or with food that goes to the public. It would be unhygienic and unprofessional to sneeze, cough, and sniffle under these circumstances.
To work outside in the heat or in a strenuous job, like construction, and there’s no other option for light work.

When are you fit enough?

If your health condition no longer affects your ability to do your normal duties, you may be able to return even though you’ve only partly recovered.

But make sure you’re actually well enough to work. After your sick leave and while you’re taking your prescribed medication, the best way to assess your current health is to ask for another appointment. Tell your doctor that you want to go back to work and ask if they think you are well enough.

If you’re able to be somewhat busy at home for a full day and have finished your medication, you’re probably physically able to return to work.

Good to know

Remember to wash your hands often.
Keep hand sanitiser ready and use it often.
Clean the common work areas with sanitising or disinfectant wipes.

Don’t be a hero and drag yourself to work if you’re too sick. And remember, your coworkers will appreciate you not bringing your germs around them!

References

How long does the flu last?

June 12th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’ve been coughing and sneezing for what seems like forever!

“When will it end?”

Well, if your symptoms include a fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue and sometimes, diarrhoea and vomiting… then you should stay home and avoid contact with other people.

Flu stages

Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus can come on very quickly. Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after the infection.

Flu often has signs of fever or chills. A headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue follow after.
As the infection progresses, you may have warm and flushed skin, bloodshot or watery eyes, a severe cough with phlegm, and nasal congestion. Children may experience nausea and vomiting.
Flu can last for one to two weeks and severe symptoms may subside in two to three days. You’ll probably feel weak and fatigued, and have a dry cough for up to seven days

How contagious is it?

If you’re infected with influenza you may be contagious from one day before symptoms start until five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may continue to be contagious for longer than seven days. Stay at home until the contagious period has passed. This will help you avoid passing germs and picking up a virus from others.

Avoid the common cold

Cold is spread by a virus that can stay alive on different surfaces. So, make sure the areas in your home are clean as far as possible. You can easily catch the cold from someone who has it, so if you notice someone coughing and sneezing excessively, avoid them!

Use a tissue when you sneeze.
Turn your head away from others when you cough or sneeze.
Bring up your elbow and cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

Get some relief

To help get rid of a common cold, take a hot shower. The steam from the shower can help clear your sinuses and respiratory passages. When you’re in the shower, gently blow your nose to help get some of the mucous out of your passages. Don’t shower too long though, you may get dehydrated.

If your symptoms last longer than 10 days and start to get worse, see a doctor.

Fight off the flu

With flu, prevention is key. Get a flu injection to reduce your chances of catching the flu. If you do catch the flu, act quickly and get the right medication from your doctor. Add lots of fruit and vegetables to your diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep to keep your immune system in shape to battle the flu. Remember; always wash your hands after shaking hands with people or touching communal bathroom door handles and lift knobs.

Get some relief:

Sleep and get plenty of rest, your immune system needs a lot of sleep to recover.
Treat your cough so you can rest easier.
Drink many fluids.

If your fever comes with a severe headache, throat swelling, unusual skin rash, mental confusion, and vomiting for more than three days, be sure to see a doctor.

References:

Is chicken soup good for flu?

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Chilly months seem to go hand-in-hand with colds and flu.

There’s the inevitable itch in your throat, coughing, headache – and of course, the sniffles. Before downing your over-the-counter medication, is it worth trying that old natural remedy: chicken soup? It’s delicious, warm and filled with nutrients – and seems to do the trick.

Here’s why.

Magic liquid

According to studies, cooking chicken releases the amino acid cysteine, which resembles a drug that can treat upper respiratory infections. Even better, when you add vegetables to your soup, you’re adding vitamins too, which ups your flu-fighting capabilities.

Drinking liquid broth soups also speeds up the movement of mucous in your nose. The hot liquid opens up your blood vessels which increases blood flow and allows the mucous to flush everything out. The warm broth not only soothes your throat, it helps you stay hydrated and eases congestion too.

More helpers

Add garlic to your soup. This pungent ingredient has antibacterial properties that help the immune system fight infections.
For veggies, choose tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, spinach and broccoli. These health helpers are packed with antioxidants that will help keep your immune system healthy.
Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are bursting with nutrients and Vitamin C, which will help fight off the sniffles. Drink water to stay hydrated. Sip on 100% orange juice with pulp. It’s packed with Vitamin C and folic acid, which will give your immune system a boost while quenching your thirst.
In cold weather, hot ginger tea warms the body.

A word on probiotics

Regulating the good bacteria in your gut can help boost your immune system. Have some yoghurt with your favourite citrus fruits to get a boost of Vitamin C too. Greek yogurt is filled with sickness-fighting probiotics, and packed with more protein than regular yogurt.

Turn up the temperature

Add a dash of cayenne pepper to your soup or stew. Cayenne pepper is rich in Vitamin C and helps relieve chills, coughs, and congestion. It’s also an antioxidant and antiseptic. You can even stir some into your tea.
Chilli peppers can ease congestion and reduce swelling around your nose and throat. It will also help thin out your mucous enough for your body to cough or sneeze it away.
Sprinkle red pepper flakes on your vegetables, grains, chicken, or meat. A little goes a long way. They will boost immunity and open up your blocked nose.
When you eat spicy foods, your body will naturally loosen the mucous and phlegm that’s clogging your body and you might be able to breathe a little easier.
Stay away from spicy foods if you have an irritable stomach; it may only aggravate your symptoms.

References:

3 Vital secrets about flu

June 11th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

Winter is here! Warm clothes, an excuse to wear that scarf, hot chocolate and nights in front of the fire sound really great, and they are! However, it’s also the season when viruses declare war on your immune system. This year we bring you 3 key secrets to preventing and beating the nasty influenza virus.

1. Rest really is the best medicine

Do you think rest is for the weak? Guess again! Bedrest is one of the best weapons against the flu. The only way to beat the flu is to let your immune system do all the work. However, if you’re not resting, your body needs to fight the infection AND do whatever it is you’re doing. So it’s best to rest and speed up your recovery.

2. Try not to spread it around

Did you know that you can still pass on the flu virus even after the symptoms are gone? Yes, you’re still technically infectious for 5 – 7 days, even though you feel much better. What should you do for these few days? If your doctor has already booked you off, stay in bed so your body can fight the virus a little more. If you’re not booked off, ask if you can work from home or take another sick day. If you can’t, then don’t feel too bad if someone else gets sick, you did try your best.

3. Strengthen your immune system

If you want to prevent Flu, you need to make sure your immune system is strong. Even if you catch a cold, supporting your immunity can help that it doesn’t last too long.

Take about 1000mg of Vit C daily; make sure you get at least 6 – 7 hours of sleep a night, and try to stay fit throughout the winter. By moving, your blood pumps through your system, your immune-cells are more energised, and your internal ‘security’ is much more alert – catching the virus before it wreaks havoc.

So, are you geared-up and ready to tackle the flu this winter? If it hasn’t caught you yet, make a plan to get your flu-shot: you don’t want to spend your student-holiday in bed, now, do you?!

Don’t forget that you can contact our doctors anytime you want! You can ask them for advice on the flu, how to boost your immune system or how to take care of someone with the flu. All you need to do is subscribe to our Hello Doctor service. Visit the “Buy Now” to get started.

Source: sfdcp.org