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The Citizen

#Wellness Wednesday: Protect yourself from the flu this winter

#Wellness Wednesday: Protect yourself from the flu this winter According to the NICD, South Africa's flu season began during the week of March 24. While the best time to get vaccinated is before flu season starts—typically between April and June—the NICD emphasizes that it's still not too late to get your flu shot. Protection from the flu develops about two weeks after vaccination The vaccine offers some protection from the flu and lessens the severity of the symptoms. For many people, flu comes with mild symptoms that are resolved in days to a week but for vulnerable groups, influenza can lead to severe illness, hospitalisation, or even death. Those most at risk include: Pregnant women People living with HIV Individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, tuberculosis, kidney disease, or obesity Older adults (65 years and older) Children younger than 2 years Many people mistakenly believe that the flu vaccine can give them the flu, but the NICD has debunked this myth. The vaccine is made from an inactivated virus, meaning it cannot cause the flu. After receiving the shot, some may experience mild fever and soreness at the injection site, but not the full-blown flu. The National Department of Health provides influenza vaccination free of charge to healthcare workers and people in high-risk groups. To reduce the spread of flu in your community, remember to: Wash your hands often Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue Avoid close contact with people who are sick Stay home if you are feeling unwell if your symptoms worsen or don't improve within three–seven days, seek medical attention. Information sourced from The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550). At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!