‘Mantšali Phakoana
When six-year-old Bohlokoa Molani was hospitalised for five weeks with flu and pneumonia, her parents never imagined the emotional and financial toll it would take on their family.
As the influenza AH3N2, A1 and A2 types continue to spread and affect people of all ages, the ministry of health has urged the public to get flu vaccines from public health clinics and hospitals.
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
Even though there are no statistics on the influenza cases or deaths, the flu is continuing to spread countrywide with people having different experiences to share.
Bohlokoa’s mother, ‘Mabohlokoa Molani, says her daughter had unusual flu symptoms with frightening symptoms, until she took her to a private hospital hoping for better health care.
“If you were to talk to me three weeks ago, I wouldn’t be able to respond because I did not have the strength to explain my daughter’s condition to anyone since it had had me frightened.
“It started with sneezing and coughing which could not be treated by different flu medications that I bought from the pharmacy. Her condition continued to deteriorate. She had uncommon signs like fatigue, inability to breath properly. It took us a day and a half to realise how serious the situation was.
“We therefore took her to Dr Knight Hospital where she was given pneumonia treatment for five weeks. The doctor was able to monitor her condition within these weeks and she was only released last week after confirming she was out of the woods. She is slowly getting back to her former self and I thank God for her life,” Molani noted.
She cautioned parents to take drastic action when they see signs of flu in their children as well themselves to avoid the danger caused by flu.
For the doctors, nurses and other health workers battling influenza outbreak, everyday is a race against time to save lives and prevent the spread of the virus.
As patients continue to flock at the hospitals, these professionals are working tirelessly to provide care and support, often at great personal risk.
Dr Vasand Lat, a consultant acute physician and rheumatologist at Dr Knight Hospital says flu becomes a major problem during the cold winter season.
He notes that vaccination for both patients and healthcare workers is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus. It spreads through saliva droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
“Droplets of their saliva are released into the air and breathed in by other people. The virus can also be caught by touching surfaces where the droplets have landed.
“Essentially, flu is characterised by a high fever and achiness, where people feel really unwell, to a point that they can’t even get out of bed. It’s different in severity from an ordinary cold. You are often left feeling run down and tired for a period after having the virus.
“That’s why hand washing and face protective masks are essential; we infect ourselves when we touch a surface and then our faces. People with mild or no symptoms can infect others without even knowing it. That is why we encourage all our staff to get vaccinated,” he said.
As the influenza A1 and A2 strains spread through the populace, the minister of health, Selibe Mochoboroane, has urged the public to get the flu vaccine, which is available at public clinics and hospitals.
This appeal comes in response to numerous reported cases of flu with symptoms similar to COVID-19.
Mochoboroane also issued a stern warning about the incidences of influenza cases reported in many health centres throughout the country.
He also highlighted that although they have not yet received formal reports, there are deaths that are attributed to these types of flu.
According to the minister, these strains are harmful to everyone but pose a higher risk to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children aged under five years, people living with HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) patients, those with pre-existing respiratory conditions and people aged above 65 years.
In his statement in the National Assembly last week, Mochoboroane warned the public about the outbreak and urged them to vaccinate.
He indicated that influenza symptoms are high temperatures, coughing, severe headache, painful muscles, sore throats and mucus.
The ministry has received reports of people who are dying in some villages due to the influenza even though there were no official statistics.
“The virus is here, therefore I plead with the public to go to the clinics, if you notice any of the said symptoms of the influenza.
“I also call on those who have not been infected to get the influenza vaccines, especially during now, when winter is fast approaching.
“It is also crucial that you continue wearing face masks, to cover your mouth when coughing and to avoid being in crowded places; practice washing hands regularly,” he said.
Mochoboroane further reminded the public that COVID -19 is still there and therefore called on them to get the vaccine and to take care against contracting either influenza or COVID-19.
Village health workers, too, play a vital role in the country’s health system by providing health care and fighting misinformation.
A village health worker for Villa Maria Health Centre, ‘Matšepang Kaneli, says there is still need for more awareness campaigns within the villages to inform and educate the public on diseases such as influenza and how it could be avoided.
She said they encourage the public to go health centres when they feel signs of flu, in order to get medical attention.
“In most cases as Basotho when we see signs of flu or see such in a child, we have a tendency of taking that lightly and not going to a health centre until it is too late.
“This flu is dangerous; we don’t have to treat it with home remedies and think it would be enough. We have to seek medical attention and also be vaccinated to minimise the harm.
“It is also our hope that during winter seasons like now, the village health workers could be provided with medical treatment so that when we have patients, we give them such while they prepare to go to health centres, especially because some live far from health facilities,” Kaneli concluded.
