Flu season survival guide: Essential tips for South Africans.
As temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors, winter also marks the peak of flu season in SA. While influenza is often dismissed as "just a bad cold", it can leave people bedridden for days and may lead to serious complications, particularly in young children, older adults, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the South African flu season normally lasts from autumn to winter, peaking during colder temperatures.
The good news is that a few simple habits can dramatically reduce your chances of catching the flu and help stop it spreading to others.
Health experts recommend getting vaccinated every year, as flu viruses change from season to season. The vaccine cannot give you flu, but it helps your immune system recognise the virus and reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and complications.
