THE onset of winter often brings with it challenges that shake up one’s daily life due to the freezing cold, which can affect the human body – which can put one at risk of contracting the flu if one is not careful.
That is the warning from health experts who have conveyed to the public with the aim of encouraging them not to ignore the cold and cold air, which will be more common during this period as winter begins across the country.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), the flu is the most common disease in South Africa at this time, and it is often a problem for the elderly, pregnant women and people with HIV and other co-morbidities.
Abbott Health Centre Health Manager, Dr Karmani Murugan, said it is very important for people to avoid contracting the flu as it is a problem and is easily transmitted.
“And another thing that people need to be aware of is that during the winter, dangerous viruses spread more easily because people are confined to their homes for a long time, and windows are closed, which prevents air from circulating properly, making it easier for viruses to enter and spread,” said Dr. Murugan.
He said another problem is that there are still those who mislead others into believing that the flu is not dangerous, and there are those who deceive themselves into thinking that they are safe because they got vaccinated last year or in the past, forgetting that viruses are always present and airborne, which puts everyone at risk.
Some tips from experts to protect themselves this winter:
Get vaccinated against the flu early: Health experts encourage people not to skip the flu vaccination, which they say also helps protect people who are at risk, especially those with weakened immune systems.
Don’t neglect getting enough rest: One of the things that makes people sick more easily is not getting enough rest, so health experts encourage people to get enough sleep to have the energy and strength to fight off different health conditions that can be dangerous for them.
Wash your hands often: Germs spread easily through dirt, and it’s easy to get them by touching different objects that may have germs that you can’t notice or see with the naked eye. So it’s important to wash your hands regularly to keep them clean and germ-free.
Keep your body strong: Doctors encourage people to be diligent about drinking enough water, eating healthy foods, exercising, and cutting down on alcohol, especially during this time, to stay healthy.
Stay home if you’re not feeling well: Health experts have warned people to avoid going to work, and doing various non-essential daily activities while you’re feeling unwell because that can put you at risk of spreading the virus and infecting others.
