How to protect your family during cold season

Medical experts warn that the short rains expected from October will likely come with a rise in flu (Influenza) cases.  The rains will usher in cold weather, which often leads to an increase in infections. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is expected to peak during this period, calling for preventive measures by both individuals and the government to curb it. 

In countries such as the United States and other developed nations, vaccination against flu and pneumonia is mandatory for people considered at high risk, as these illnesses affect millions each year.

As the seasons change, experts urge everyone to take extra care of their health. Warm clothing becomes essential to keep the body protected from the chill and its discomforts.

However, few people give serious thought to what is often dismissed as a “common flu.” Yet influenza is a potentially dangerous infection that deserves more attention than it often receives. According to experts, the disease kills about five million people globally every year. The recent outbreaks of bird flu and swine flu have also underscored the importance of strengthening prevention and management measures.

One needs to give more than a passing thought to the flu, especially in today’s interconnected world, where any outbreak can quickly spread across borders.

Influenza affects people of all ages and tends to peak between May and July, and again from October to December, the coldest months of the year in Kenya.

Many people confuse it with the common cold, yet there is much more to flu than a cough, sneezing, or a runny nose.

Influenza is an acute viral infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs. It is highly contagious and particularly common among children, partly because they spend much time together in classrooms and playgrounds.

The confusion between flu and the common cold arises because the two share similar symptoms, but doctors note that they differ in severity and impact.Unlike the common cold, flu symptoms can develop suddenly and include high fever, chills, severe muscle aches and headaches.

A runny nose and a persistent cough that may last for weeks are also common signs of flu infection. The danger of untreated or unprevented flu is that it can develop into serious respiratory complications such as pneumonia, which can be fatal. Flu spreads easily from person to person through tiny droplets released when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. “People with diabetes or long-term illnesses, cardiac problems, asthma and conditions affecting the lungs and kidneys, as well as health workers, are at greater risk of contracting the infection,” says Dr Moses Mwangi, an expert in immunisation and vaccinology and a former regional director of the Sanofi-Aventis Group.

Dr Mwangi adds that elderly persons, people with sickle cell disease and those with weakened immune systems, such as heart or kidney transplant patients and individuals living with HIV/AIDS, are also more likely to experience recurrent flu infections. “Managing viral diseases such as flu can be costly,” he says, advising people to take an annual flu jab.

Influenza vaccination, experts note, helps one stay flu-free throughout the year, even during cold seasons and outbreaks. They warn that continually buying antibiotics to manage flu symptoms is both costly and ineffective, while vaccination offers a more affordable and long-term solution. “It is much cheaper to take the vaccine, which will keep you protected for an entire year,” doctors advise.

Immunisation is especially important for families with young children, who are particularly vulnerable to flu infections, medical experts advise.

Influenza vaccines are updated every year to target the circulating strains. Doctors note that vaccination against flu is more cost-effective than antibiotic treatment.

A survey conducted among chemists and pharmacies in Nairobi found that antibiotics cost between Sh300 and Sh1,500 for brands such as Augmentin, while flu vaccines range from Sh2,500 to Sh4,000, depending on the facility.

The impact of flu on public health and the economy is huge, often seen in lost man-hours and absenteeism from work and school. The infection can also be life-threatening for the elderly. Findings from the Kenya Medical Research Institute’s Flu Surveillance Network show that between 10 and 15 per cent of people visiting outpatient clinics with flu-like symptoms test positive for influenza.

“The yearly immunisation is important to remain effectively protected,” says Dr Mwangi. Side effects from the vaccine are rare, though some people may experience mild fever or muscle aches lasting less than 12 hours.

For those unable to eat solid food, doctors recommend nutrient-rich liquids such as soups and smoothies. However, individuals with severe egg allergies may experience reactions to certain flu vaccines, including hives, throat swelling, low blood pressure, or even shock. “For people at high risk of severe flu infection, there are medical options to desensitise them to egg proteins in the vaccine,” doctors explain

Balanced diet

However, experts stress that the benefits of flu vaccines far outweigh the few mild side effects. Influenza can be deadly and may also trigger asthma attacks in chronic patients or worsen diabetes. When flu symptoms persist for more than two weeks, accompanied by shallow, rapid breathing, coughing up mucus with traces of blood, or chest pain, it may indicate bronchitis or pneumonia.

Doctors advise against waiting for such symptoms to clear on their own. If fever is accompanied by a stiff neck, headache or confusion, it could be a sign of meningitis, an inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, and requires immediate medical attention.

Despite the loss of appetite that often comes with flu, The Doctor’s Handbook of Home Remedies recommends maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, particularly those high in vitamin C, to help the body fight infection.

“Drinking your nutrients instead of eating them is a good option, especially when one isn’t up to solid foods,” says Prof Frederick Ruben, a professor of medicine at Cambridge University, UK. “A vitamin-rich vegetable juice or a warm bowl of soup can help keep the body hydrated and nourished.”

As a preventive measure, experts advise avoiding crowded places during flu season, especially for those with low immunity. Still, the most effective protection remains vaccination against the disease.

Prof Reuben advises people to throw away their toothbrushes three days after the onset of the flu. This is because the virus continues to linger on wet toothbrush bristles and you can infect yourself day after day,” he says. If one has a cough, they should wipe their nose and not blow it to prevent earache.
Influenza is not caused simply by being cold, wearing insufficient clothing, or failing to eat enough fruits and honey. Cold feet, for example, do not indicate the onset or severity of the flu. The key to controlling the virus lies in people’s behaviour.

Crowding indoors or using tightly enclosed public transport can accelerate the spread of flu and other respiratory infections.

During cold weather, people naturally huddle together, which helps the virus transmit faster. School children are particularly vulnerable, as they gather closely in classrooms, dining halls and playgrounds.

Other factors can also trigger flu outbreaks, including low humidity, psychological stress, allergies affecting the nose or throat and even menstrual cycles. Modern inter-country travel further contributes to the rapid spread of flu between regions and continents, especially from countries experiencing outbreaks.

Flu viruses can survive for hours, floating in the air or lingering on surfaces such as door handles and hands. Unless they are removed by thorough washing with soap and water, these viruses remain infectious, entering the body through the nose, eyes, mouth, or cuts in the skin. Experts, therefore, recommend combining home-based preventive measures with pharmacological interventions, such as vaccination, to effectively protect against influenza.