Latest news with #flu
News24
a day ago
- Health
- News24
SAMA urges caution as flu cases surge and new COVID-19 variant emerges
With flu season in full swing, health professionals are advising South Africans to be more cautious due to an increase in flu cases and the appearance of NB. 1.8.1. NB 1.8.1 is an unusual Covid-19 Omicron subvariant that is spreading rapidly in numerous countries. Speaking in an interview with Newzroom Afrika about the matter, Dr Vusumuzi Mzukwa, chairperson of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), clarified that although there's yet no official call to reinstate masks, precautions are still crucial. 'We have not yet made a call for wearing of masks but what we are doing is cautioning South African's that there's a new variant,' he said. Furthermore, Mzukwa added that the virus still exists in endemic form even if it is no longer dominant. 'It is in existence, but in very low numbers.' According to Mzukwa the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated NB. 1.8.1 as a variant currently under observation globally as variants continue to evolve. 'We're looking at its spread, its severity, but it's early days. There's nothing to worry about at the moment,' he clarified. Read more | Presiding judge at Senzo Meyiwa's murder trial causes uproar after racial remarks spark controversy He described the common symptoms of contemporary infections as follows: 'You get a sore throat, headaches, fatigue, muscle pains. Some gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting.' Read more | Brace yourself | South African Weather Services issues warning on cold front this weekend He concluded by reminding the public that masks are not just for COVID but for precautionary measures of infectious flu. 'Masks were not only meant for COVID. They were also meant for the flu, if you've got flu symptoms, you protect other people in the workplace and the community.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Kindness of strangers: a woman I'd never met heard we had flu and dropped a big pot of soup at our doorstep
It was 1996 when my husband was transferred to the small rural town of Healesville for work. In inner-city Melbourne, where we'd been living, we had a support network of neighbours, friends and family. In Healesville we didn't know a soul. It was just me and my husband, our two little kids and two dogs. We hadn't been there long when we all came down with the flu. It wasn't a cold, it was the flu – complete with aching, fevers and hallucinating. It was terrible. We did have some food in the house but not much. At some stage I tried to drive down to the shops to get us something to eat but I had to turn back because I was too sick to navigate. We lived 5km out of town so walking in wasn't an option. There were no takeaway food outlets in the town and, of course, this was long before the days of food deliveries. I didn't know any doctors nearby and, being so far from family, there was no one I could call on for help. I remember desperately saying to my husband, 'We have to feed the dogs!' We were stuck. Then there was a phone call. On the other end was a woman who worked with my husband at his new job. We'd never met but she'd got wind that we were sick and let me know she'd just dropped a big pot of soup on our doorstep. That soup saved us – even the dogs got some. It sustained us for days, until I was well enough to prepare the most basic of meals. Without that help, which came so out of the blue, I don't know what we would have done. I later got to know that woman, Kath, and learned that this is typical behaviour for her. She's a very kind-hearted, community-minded person. Kath's act of kindness made me appreciate how much small gestures can mean – as well as what a lovely act of compassion making a meal for someone is. Cooking up a big pot of soup has become my go-to thing when someone is sick. It's always appreciated. From making your day to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you're having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Rod Stewart 'devastated' over multiple concert cancellations as illness threatens tour dates
Rod Stewart's fans will have to wait a bit longer for a chance to see the rock legend live in concert. The iconic singer canceled his next six performances due to an ongoing battle with the flu. "I have to cancel and reschedule my next six concerts in June as I continue to recover from the flu," Stewart wrote in a statement on Instagram. "So sorry, my friends. I'm devastated and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans." The 80-year-old crooner continued to express his regret over the cancellation and noted how deeply he values his loyal fans. "I'll be back on stage and will see you soon," Stewart reassured his fans, signing his message, "Sir Rod." Stewart is scheduled to perform at Glastonbury later this month. The "Have I Told You Lately" singer's recently canceled shows raised concerns about whether he'd be well enough to perform there after postponing several performances. Stewart's performance at Glastonbury would mark the first time he's performed at the music festival in more than two decades. "I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that I'll be playing Glastonbury 2025! After all these years, I'm proud and ready and more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury in June. I'll see you there!" he previously penned on X, formerly known as Twitter. The "Forever Young" singer headlined the festival in 2002. Earlier this week, Stewart canceled his performance at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, citing doctor's orders. Stewart blamed a lingering sickness for the cancellation. He additionally canceled a show during his Las Vegas residency due to health concerns. "I'm awfully sorry to have to cancel my show June 5th at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace," Stewart shared online. "My doctor ordered a bit more rest while I recover from the flu. Thanks for your love and understanding." Last weekend, the "Maggie May" singer told fans he wouldn't be able to perform, hours before he was scheduled to take the stage. "I am sorry to inform you that I'm not feeling well and my show tonight at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace is being rescheduled to June 10," Stewart wrote. "Your tickets will be valid for the new date." Stewart revealed late last year he was taking a step back from the stage in the coming year. "This will be the end of large-scale world tours for me, but I have no desire to retire," he said in a statement on social media. "I love what I do, and I do what I love. "I'm fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 meters in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79."
CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Rod Stewart forced to cancel U.S. shows due to illness: "I'm devastated and sincerely apologize"
Rod Stewart said he is "devastated" after he was forced to cancel upcoming shows in the United States as he recovers from the flu ahead of his big festival gig. The 80-year-old singer took to Instagram to explain why he was canceling four shows and rescheduling two others as he continues his recovery. "I have to cancel and reschedule my next six concerts in June as I continue to recover from the flu," he wrote. "So sorry my friends. I'm devastated and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans. I'll be back on stage and will see you soon." He signed off "Sir Rod" with a broken heart emoji. It was not immediately clear how long Stewart has been recovering from the flu. Rod Stewart performs onstage at the 2025 American Music Awards held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on May 26, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images The canceled shows were scheduled for Las Vegas and Stateline, Nevada, between June 7 and June 14. Two shows in Rancho Mirage and Paso Robles, California, were rescheduled for September. Stewart recently performed at the American Music Awards and received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his career spanning more than 60 years. BBC News reported that Stewart is set to perform at the Glastonbury Festival later this month. The website reported the singer had previously said he intended to stop playing "large-scale world tours" at the end of 2025 but was "proud, ready and more than able to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury." His set is expected to draw some 100,000 fans. The other headliners at this year's Glastonbury Festival include The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rod Stewart, 80, left 'devastated' after being forced to cancel SIX more shows due to illness just weeks ahead of playing Glastonbury's legends slot
Rod Stewart has been left 'devastated' after being forced to cancel another six US shows while continuing to recover from the flu. The Maggie May hitmaker, 60, who had already axed Las Vegas gigs at the Caesars Palace's Colosseum, took to Instagram with the news just weeks before he's due to play Glastonbury 's Pyramid Stage.
