Everyone has experienced it. That bad cold that comes with nasal congestion. To many people, flu is like a small bruise that they always neglect or prescribe own medications.
Everyone has experienced it. That bad cold that comes with nasal congestion. To many people, flu is like a small bruise that they always neglect or prescribe own medications. No one wants to seek medical help for flu but medics warn that if you get flu, it’s important to visit a hospital because flu might be just a symptom of a bigger underlying health problem.
As Rwanda hosts a conference on influenza next month, these are some of the issues that delegates will deliberate, among others.
What is influenza?
Commonly referred to as ‘flu,’ Influenza is a viral infection, which attacks the respiratory system, causing clogging in areas of the nose, throat and lungs.
Three types of flu viruses are available and include; A, B, and C. Both Influenza A and B are associated with annual influenza epidemics that attack up to 20 per cent of the population causing serious symptoms, according to studies. Although symptoms may not be severe during episodes of Influenza C, medics warn that no complacency should be entertained during any influenza infection.
Dealing with the disease
Dr Daniel Gahungu, a general practitioner at Polyclinic Ectoile in Kigali says that dealing with irritating symptoms such running nose, headache and joint pain demands that the infected individual gets enough rest.
"Since at this point, the body is using an intrinsic mechanism to fight against the infection; a lot of energy is dissipated. Recovery requires that more energy should be conserved through seeking enough rest,” says Dr Gahungu.
Besides the body pain, influenza sufferers have to deal with general body weakness.
To clear this pain, Dr Gahungu elaborates that there is no specific medication besides painkillers and vitamin supplements, which provide relief.
"Pain killers may help but are not treatment to the viral infection. Taking vitamin supplements such as C also helps to reinforce the weakened immune system,” he adds.
Since flu is a common illness in families, self-medication is a common practice.
Dr Leo Ngeruka, a surgical specialist at Rwanda Military Hospital Kanombe warns against self medication for influenza.
"People should not be so comfortable with drugs like cold cap, flue fed, among others. Under any circumstance, self medication is very bad especially with influenza whose symptoms could be an indication of another illness,” says Dr Ngeruka.
Dr Gahungu echoes Ngeruka’s views, emphasising that some illnesses start manifesting with symptoms similar to those of the influenza virus only to graduate into serious cough at a later stage.
In such a situation, any sign of cough should immediately receive medical attention.
"When the coughing persists, there is immediate need for medical examination. Depending on the medical results, antibiotics may be provided to the patient,” Dr Gahungu adds.
On the other hand, vaccines that protect the body against influenza are available and were isolated as early as the 60’s.
The first trivalent vaccine was developed in 1978 and included two influenza ‘A’ strains and one influenza ‘B’ strain while the latest involves two influenza B lineages circulating. Fresh recommendations from the World Health Organization suggest that a second B strain could be added to give a quadrivalent vaccine.
Managing temperature and controlling lung infection
Just like most viral infections, there is no single cure for influenza although simple remedies are available to manage this contagious disease.
Like Christian Bahati, a nurse in town points out that sometimes individuals with influenza experience a sudden onset of fever that requires regulation of the temperature.
"Ultimately the individual should be transferred to the hospital especially when the symptoms persist but before that, a cloth immersed in cold water is necessary first aid for regulating temperature,” explains Bahati.
Dr Raymond Awazi, a pediatrician at Polyclinic Ectoile explains that flu is more dangerous to children than adults but a saline solution prepared for cleaning the nose prevents more complications.
"Cleaning the nose carefully using a normal saline helps prevent the virus caused by the flue from moving to the lungs, and cause serious complications such as bronchitis,” says Dr Awazi.
Eating well
Several studies have also suggested that good nutrition is essential in managing influenza.
One of the latest studies published in Nutrition Research Journal suggested that short-term supplementation of a mushroom extract may increase white blood cells that improve the antibody response to the influenza B vaccine.
Other findings recommend use of certain foods after contracting influenza to speed up the healing.
Anita Mirchandani, a spokesperson for the New York State Dietetic Association in an online article says that before one reaches out for latest over-the-counter remedy in the medicine cabinet, they should first head to the kitchen.
Frequent hand washing, and regular exercise can also bolster the immune system along side good nutrition.
"The most authentic way to fight a cold or flu is to eat foods that will help you build the healthy cells you need to feel better,” she says.
Among the foods that improve the immune responses include garlic, which has antimicrobial effects, according to studies.
Sweet potatoes and dark green vegetables contain vitamins that are needed by the body.
To supplement such views, Kibagabaga hospital nutritionist, Joseph Uwiragiye explains that spiced tea provides soothing effects during flu and colds.
"A mixture of warm water, honey and ginger helps to decongest the areas affected by influenza. The good thing is that there is no specific amount, the person can take it in the morning and in the afternoon depending on the congestion in the nasal area,” explains Uwiragiye.
In the event of influenza, the nutritionist also suggests that individuals should drink as much water as possible.
"Drinking helps to reduce on the dehydration. By revitalizing the body with enough fluids, the illness clears faster,” he adds.
Much as flue has for long been in existence and almost becoming a household illness, health professionals advise that good nutrition and management is necessary because complications may be fetal; besides fresh findings from WHO reveal that influenza activity is increasing in Africa and other parts of the world.
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Tips to treat flu and colds
1. Know when not to treat symptoms
Believe it or not, those annoying symptoms you’re experiencing are part of the natural healing process - evidence that the immune system is battling illness. For instance, a fever is your body’s way of trying to kill viruses in a hotter-than-normal environment. Also, a fever’s hot environment makes germ-killing proteins in your blood circulate more quickly and effectively. Thus, if you endure a moderate fever for a day or two, you may actually get well faster. Coughing is another productive symptom; it clears your breathing passages of thick mucus that can carry germs to your lungs and the rest of your body. Even a stuffy nose is best treated mildly or not at all. A decongestant restricts blood flow in the blood vessels in your nose and throat. But often you want the increased blood flow because it warms the infected area and helps secretions carry germs out of your body.
2. Blow your nose often (and the right way)
It’s important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can move germ-carrying phlegm back into your ear passages, causing earache. The best way to blow your nose is to press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently into a tissue to clear the other.
3. Treat a stuffy nose with warm salt water
Salt-water rinsing helps break nasal congestion, while also removing virus particles and bacteria from your nose.
Here’s a popular recipe:
Mix a pinch of salt and a pinch of bicarbonate of soda in about half a pint of warm water. Use a bulb syringe to squirt water into the nose. Hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure while squirting the salt mixture into the other nostril. Let it drain. Repeat two to three times, then treat the other nostril.
4. Stay warm and rested
Staying warm and resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by staying off your feet.
5. Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle, such as tea, which contains tannins, to tighten the membranes. Or use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey, sage and cayenne pepper all of which are slightly antiseptic. Steep fresh sage leaves with the cayenne in 100 ml of just boiled water for 10 minutes. Add about 50 ml of honey; you can also add a pinch of salt and some cider vinegar to help loosen phlegm. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling.6. Drink hot liquids
Hot liquids help relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. If you’re so congested you can’t sleep at night, try a hot toddy, an age-old remedy. Make a cup of hot herbal tea. Add one teaspoon of honey and one small measure (about 25ml) of whiskey or bourbon. Limit yourself to one. Too much alcohol inflames those membranes and is counterproductive.
Agencies
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YOUR VIEWS: How do you handle flu ?
Erickson Mugabo, a chef at Lemigo Hotel
As a person who has been working in catering industry for long, whenever I have a flu, I take strong ginger lemon tea with some honey. For long it has been working for me. However, this depends on the severability of the flu and when accompanied by strong symptoms, I always seek medical attention.
Josephine Uzamukunda, a shop attendant
I always visit a pharmacy and explain the symptoms. Thereafter, I receive drugs, which include painkillers. When I don’t have enough money, I resort to other methods like taking hot water with lemon although the flu takes several days to clear.
Edna Ototo, a researcher
I believe there is no specific medicine for flu and whenever I contract the infection, I take a lot of water, and rest. The flu only lasts for three days, which gives me good reason to believe that water is a perfect remedy. However, ginger and lemon are also effective but that depends on the individual.
Melene Iliza, a student
My cure has always been ginger. I used to go to the hospital, but the doctor would prescribe for me the painkillers which I could also easily buy without consultation. I have now resorted to chewing raw ginger, whenever I get flu.
Ignatius Rwasa, an employee at Simba Supermarket
It depends on the time, if I start suffering from the flu at night, the best way is to take hot water with strong tea leaves. However when it happens during the day, I visit any nearby pharmacies where I buy painkillers for relieving the headache that comes with the flu.
Compiled by Lydia Atieno