Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 1. 2020 | Page 28

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 Page 27 If you have flu, you may experience some of these symptoms: • • • • • • 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