Flu vaccine: Protect
against influenza
Every year the country is gripped by several strains of influenza - some more dangerous than others.
Flu, or influenza, is a viral illness that spreads through secretions of the nose and lungs and occurs
predominantly in the winter months in South Africa. It's easily confused with the common cold.
To help protect you and your loved ones against flu, Bonitas covers one flu vaccine per member per
year to protect you.
How a vaccine works When to get it
A vaccine works by training the immune system to
recognise and combat pathogens, either viruses or
bacteria. To do this, certain molecules from the pathogen
must be introduced into the body to trigger an immune
response. As the vaccine is only effective after 10 to 14 days, it’s
important to administer the vaccine in time to achieve
maximum efficiency. With the flu season typically starting
around autumn in South Africa, we recommended the
vaccination period to be from March to April.
These molecules are called antigens and they are present
on all viruses and bacteria. By injecting these antigens
into the body, the immune system can safely learn to
recognise them as hostile invaders, produce antibodies
and remember them for the future. If the bacteria
or virus reappears, the immune system will recognise
the antigens immediately and attack aggressively - well
before the pathogen can spread and cause sickness. Health tip
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If you have flu, you may experience some of these
symptoms:
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A high fever (higher than 39°C) with chills
Sweating and shivering
A dry cough and sore throat
A blocked nose or nasal discharge
Muscle aches and pains, especially in the legs.
Fatigue and wanting to sleep all day