
23/09/2025
Influenza, commonly known as the "flu", is a contagious viral disease that can affect anyone, including healthy people. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs), causing inflammation of the membranes. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly, and symptoms include high fever, sore throat, coughing, headache, muscle aches, and stuffy nose
At Kindred Family Clinics, we believe in early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of influenza. By performing a simple and non invasive bedside nasal swab, we aim to detect and diagnose influenza in its initial stages, esp since the treatment of flu with antiviral medication (TAMIFLU) works best when started within the first 48hrs after symptoms begin
It's widely established that flu antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the duration of symptoms. Starting antiviral treatment shortly after symptoms begin also can help reduce complications. For adults hospitalized with flu, some studies have reported that early antiviral treatment can reduce the duration of hospitalization and their risk of death
To mitigate transmission, it's imperative that we get our flu vaccination shots annually, and that everyone practises healthy habits, good personal hygiene and be socially responsible!
Doctors have advised the public to maintain proper hand hygiene, wear masks in crowded settings, and get vaccinated at least once a year.