POLOKWANE – Local doctors have confirmed an outbreak of swine flu in the city following recent reports of patients that tested positive for the flu in Tzaneen.
Review spoke to doctors from different medical centres in the city and they said several patients tested positive with influenza A, which is the class under which flu and swine flu are categorised. Last week, one of the doctors said he had a minimum of five patients who tested positive for influenza A.
Although private doctors confirmed several cases, the department of health denied there was an outbreak of swine flu in the city.
Department spokesperson, Mack Lesufi, said that it was flu season.
“However, the current wave of flu cannot be attributed to swine flu. There are no cases of swine flu reported and confirmed by any of our facilities,” Lesufi said. According to one of the doctors who spoke to Review, patients diagnosed with swine flu were not hospitalised, but were advised to recover at home to prevent spreading the virus.
“Swine flu and flu are almost identical and if not treated, could lead to serious health implications and even death. Swine flu can be diagnosed through nose and throat swabs or blood tests. These tests are only recommended when a patient has sudden symptoms, within a day. The symptoms are a sore throat, painful body, coughing and a fever higher than 38 deg C. A person with swine flu and flu must stay at home until they recover fully to avoid infecting others,” the doctors explained.
Doctors urge residents to get vaccinated against flu to prevent infections. Just like flu, swine flu is spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing and by contact with an infected person.
“It takes two weeks for the vaccination to work. Other prevention methods are to wash your hands, drink enough water, eat healthy food to keep the immune system strong and cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing,” one doctor said. The doctor added that when a patient is treated, it takes about five days for them to start feeling better.
“If a patient does not feel better within five days, they must return to the doctor for a follow up. If not, it could lead to serious health implications like secondary infections and pneumonia,” the doctor said.
Asked which age categories were at risk of health complications and hospitalisation if not treated, the doctors confirmed children younger than two, adults older than 65, people with chronic illnesses and pregnant women.
Review spoke to a local mother whose children recently contracted swine flu. She opted to remain anonymous. Aged five and seven, both children showed flu symptoms initially, including a sore throat, headache, a sore body and high fever (40 deg C).
“In both cases, we thought it was a case of severe flu,” the mother said.
Antibiotics were prescribed and the throat swabs the doctor took were sent for tests, which confirmed swine flu a week later. The mother said doctors advised that the children should be quarantined as the disease was highly infectious. From going to the doctor to getting better, took one child 14 days and the other 21 days, according to the mother.
Istha McMillan, patient experience manager at Mediclinic Limpopo confirmed that five patients tested positive with influenza A.
Swine flu confirmed in Limpopo
