Protecting yourself from Influenza A: Expert tips amid Rwanda's flu season

Kevine Umurerwa's routine flu turned into a week-long battle with Influenza A, in late May when the 23-year-old university student got ill, highlighting the rising threat of severe flu strains in Rwanda. ALSO READ: Public warned about increase of influenza-like illnesses Umurerwa came down with what she assumed was a normal flu. But as the days went on, she realised something wasn’t right. Her body felt unusually weak, and her elbow began to ache, a symptom she had never associated with the flu. The exhaustion was so intense that she couldn’t go to work – she operates a cloths store during the day – for an entire week. Alongside the weakness came a persistent cough and pounding headache, making even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. “I did what I always do when the flu hits. I bought Fervex, the medication that’s always worked for me in the past. But this time, it didn’t help. I completed the full dose, hoping I’d feel better, but my condition got worse. The way my symptoms dragged on and how intense they were made me start to worry that it might be malaria or something more serious,” she said. Fervex is a drug used to treat colds, rhinitis, nasopharyngitis and flu-like conditions in adults and children over 15 years of age. “Eventually, I decided to go to the hospital and after some tests, the doctor told me I had Influenza A (a flu strain that’s been affecting more people lately). The doctor advised me to drink a lot more fluids, gave me a different medication, and reassured me that I would recover with time and care. Thankfully, after about a week, I started to get my energy back, and the symptoms began to ease.” As Rwanda transitions from the rainy to the dry season, the Ministry of Health has issued a public health advisory, warning of a rise in cases of Influenza A. Data from the Ministry of Health shows that 6.6% of Rwanda’s population has been diagnosed with Influenza A between 2022 and 2024. The flu tends to surge when weather patterns shift. ALSO READ: Health ministry warns of flu spike as dry season begins In 2022, cases of flu peaked from April to July. In 2023, two major spikes occurred between January to April and May to July. In 2024, the sharpest increase was reported in January and March. Understanding Influenza A Dr Menelas Nkeshimana, the Head of the Health Workforce Department in the Ministry of Health, told The New Times that Influenza A is a type of flu virus that affects the respiratory system. It is part of the broader influenza virus family, which mutates over time and causes seasonal outbreaks. “Although many cases are mild, Influenza A has a notorious history. It was the strain behind the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, which infected a third of the world’s population and led to millions of deaths globally,” he said. “But thankfully, the current strains circulating are far less severe. In most cases today, people with Influenza A experience mild to moderate symptoms and can recover with supportive care at home.” Influenza A is highly contagious and spreads through the air through tiny droplets released when an infected person talks, coughs, sneezes, or laughs. It can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose, mouth, or eyes, said Nkeshimana. “While the virus survives only about 24 hours on surfaces, its airborne transmission makes it easy to catch, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor spaces. People in close contact with someone who is infected such as being in the same room or shaking hands, are at higher risk of contracting it.” ALSO READ: We can stay vigilant without creating unwarranted panic The symptoms of Influenza A often appear suddenly and may include cough, runny nose, fever, headache, general body weakness, muscle or joint pain, and sore throat. Nkeshimana said that in some cases, especially with recent infections, patients have reported symptoms that don’t feel like a “normal” flu including body ache, fatigue similar to malaria, and even pain in joints like the elbows. Who is most at risk? “While many healthy people can recover within one week, some groups are at higher risk of developing severe illness. Elderly people, children under five, pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions like asthma, heart disease, or respiratory illnesses. People with weakened immune systems and people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40, are most at risk,” Nkeshimana said. “Influenza A can lead to complications such as pneumonia or even death, making it essential to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.” How to protect yourself To prevent the spread of Influenza A, Nkeshimana recommend the following: Wash hands regularly with soap and water Use proper coughing or sneezing etiquette, such as sneezing into your elbow Avoid close contact with people who are sick Stay home when feeling unwell Keep rooms well ventilated and avoid crowded, closed spaces Get tested when symptoms arise to confirm if it's influenza, COVID-19, or a bacterial infection, as the symptoms can be similar “There is no specific cure for Influenza A, but most people recover with supportive care, that includes getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids (especially water), taking Vitamin C and other immune-boosting supplements and using over the counter medicines to relieve fever and pain (as advised by a doctor),” Nkeshimana said. “Knowing what you're dealing with through proper testing is key. Since it's impossible to identify flu strains just by looking at someone’s symptoms, professional diagnosis matters especially during the flu season.”

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