Flu Season in South Africa: Why the Flu Vaccine Matters and How to Protect Yourself
The 2025 flu vaccine is available at both our practices. Contact us today to book yours. (PHOTO: Keshia Africa)
By Dr Laylah Fayker | MBChB (STELL) and Keshia Africa
As the colder months approach in the Mother City, flu season is just around the corner. The good news is that there’s a simple way to protect yourself and your loved ones – by getting the flu vaccine. We’ve put together this post to share with you everything you need to know about this annual shot so you can stay healthy this winter.
WHAT IS THE FLU?
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system, which includes the nose, throat and lungs. The infection is spread through tiny droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. The flu can be transmitted through direct contact with the tiny droplets or indirectly through touching objects that have been contaminated with droplets.
The flu virus has many different strains. The strains are forecasted a year in advance by virologists, allowing them to create a vaccine with maximum effectiveness for the next Autumn into Winter seasons.
If left untreated, the flu can cause serious complications like pneumonia (a severe lung infection), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and sepsis (life-threatening response to an infection, with inflammation and potential organ and tissue damage).
These severe complications are mostly present in vulnerable individuals like the elderly, young children and babies, and people with lowered immunity, like cancer patients or people living with HIV. With vulnerable individuals, the flu can lead to death.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE FLU SYMPTOMS?
The most common flu symptoms are:
Fever
Chills
Sore throat
Cough
Muscle aches
Fatigue
HOW TO TREAT IT AT HOME?
The best way to treat the flu at home is to manage your symptoms as they occur. At-home treatments and over-the-counter medications that would help you are:
For fever and pain: Paracetamol
For a runny nose: Antihistamines and facial steaming with eucalyptus oil
To treat a cough: Honey, lemon and ginger drink or cough syrup
To boost the immune system to fight the infection: Vitamin C and Zinc supplements
It is recommended that you rest, hydrate with water and electrolytes and prioritise your nutrition by eating small healthy meals like veggie soups and hearty meals. To avoid spreading the flu to people at home, keep your distance and make sure that everyone is observing regular and thorough handwashing. Ensure that all surfaces are wiped down regularly.
Rest, fluids, and nourishment – the essentials of flu recovery. Gentle self-care at home can go a long way in easing symptoms and supporting your body’s healing. (PHOTO: Shvets Production/Pexels)
WHEN SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR?
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor:
A high fever that lasts more than two days, or when the fever is more than 39 degrees
Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, or wheezing
Chest pain or pressure
Swelling of the face or throat
Severe weakness or dizziness
If you have any comorbidities, it is important to see a doctor as early as two to four days after your initial symptoms. This will help you ensure you can self-medicate at home and lessen your chances of requiring hospitalisation.
WHAT IS THE FLU VACCINE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
The flu vaccine is a simple, safe and effective way that you can protect yourself against the flu. The vaccine is made up of a small number of particles of the flu virus. These particles are injected into your body so that it can build an immune response to the virus.
After vaccination, the particles encourage your body to create protective cells called antibodies. Later on, when you are infected with influenza, your body will be able to recognise the flu virus and fight it with the antibodies your body has created more effectively.
As there is a new vaccine each year, the vaccine is updated to target the most common flu strains. This helps your body build immunity so that if you come in contact with the virus, your symptoms are milder. It can also prevent the illness altogether. The way the flu vaccine works is that it trains your immune system to recognise and fight the flu virus.
The vaccine helps your body to create antibodies, which aid in protecting you from the viruses included in the makeup of the vaccine. Visualise the antibodies as your personal defence system – ready to fight off the flu if you’re exposed to it at any time during the flu season.
The flu virus spreads easily through droplets released when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks – making vaccination and hygiene key to protection. (PHOTO: Edward Jenner/Pexels)
WHY SHOULD I GET IT?
The flu virus changes annually, so the vaccination keeps you protected against the strain of virus that is present in that particular year.
Receiving the vaccine lowers your chance of getting the flu. If you do get the flu, symptoms are usually milder, so you can have peace of mind during this flu season to know you are protected.
Getting the vaccine reduces the pressure of hospitalisations and flu-related complications.
It provides protection for you, your family, friends, and community.
It helps lower your risk of serious complications, especially if you have existing health conditions like hypertension or diabetes.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE FLU VACCINE?
Anyone older than six months old is encouraged to get the flu shot, but it’s especially necessary for:
Pregnant women, as their immune systems are under strain.
Young children, especially under the age of five, as their immunity is still developing.
Seniors, aged 65 and older.
People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease.
Healthcare workers and caregivers as their exposure to disease is higher than the general population.
Anyone with a weakened immune system, such as people who are undergoing cancer treatment or living with HIV.
The flu vaccine is usually given in your non-dominant arm to reduce post-jab discomfort – so you can get back to your day with minimal disruption. (PHOTO: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels)
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER GETTING THE VACCINE?
Our doctors are very gentle and caring during the vaccination process, and you will be counselled on the procedure, especially if you are feeling anxious about getting the vaccine.
Before you get your vaccination, the doctor will chat to you about allergies or previous reactions to medication, and they may ask you to undress or expose your non-dominant arm. The reason for using the non dominant arm is there may be tenderness in the injection site, which may impair use of the arm throughout the day.
The procedure of getting the vaccine only takes a few minutes. Your doctor will expose your upper arm, clean the area with a swab and then inject you with the vaccine. You will feel a small pinch for a few seconds, and then the procedure is complete.
After the vaccine, you can go about your day as usual. Most people tolerate the flu vaccine well, but some may experience mild side effects like a sore arm where the shot was given, a slight fever and mild fatigue or muscle aches. These are temporary and much easier to manage than having the virus.
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I GET THE VACCINE?
In South Africa, the flu season usually starts in April and peaks between May and August. The best time to get vaccinated is before the season begins, around March/April, allowing your body enough time to build immunity.
The flu vaccine is available at both our practices in our CBD and Sea Point locations. All you need to do is contact us to book an appointment, and we’d be happy to assist. The vaccine can also be found at local pharmacies, public health centres and private hospitals.
SOURCES: National Library of Medicine 1, 2, The National Institute for Communicable Diseases 1, 2, Mayo Clinic
