07/07/2026
Moms and dads, if it feels like your household has been passing around the same heavy cough and fever since March, you are not imagining it. South Africa is currently experiencing a heavily extended influenza and RSV surge.
🚨 Red Flags: When to see a doctor immediately
Most healthy children will recover with rest, fluids, and fever management.
However, please seek immediate emergency care if you notice your little one exhibiting:
1. Fast breathing or chest “sucking in” (retractions).
2. Blue or pale tint around the lips or fingernails.
3. Extreme lethargy, difficulty waking up, or inability to interact.
4. Inability to keep fluids down or refusal to feed (especially infants under 6 months).
5. A fever that spikes dangerously high or lasts longer than 3–4 days.
🛡️ Actionable steps you can take today
✅It is not too late for the flu vaccine: If your child is older than 6 months and hasn’t been vaccinated, the NICD guidelines confirm it is still highly beneficial to get the jab while the virus is actively circulating. It takes about 2 weeks to build antibodies.
✅Prioritise hand hygiene: Teach kids to wash hands thoroughly with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer.
Practice the “elbow cough”: Sneeze or cough into elbows, not bare hands.
✅Keep sick kids home: Do not send children to school or daycare if they have a fever or active cough to break the transmission cycle.
✅Stay safe, look out for those warning signs, and don’t hesitate to contact our clinic if you are worried about your child’s breathing
