Fortune News | Jun 03,2023
Each year around this time, Addis Abeba’s dry chill settles in, catching me and many others off-guard. I find myself closing windows tightly in the morning to seal in warmth. My once-routine walks are cut short as I hustle indoors, eager to escape the cold.
The car seats, frigid and unwelcoming, seem to hold onto the night’s chill, making my drive feel like a journey through a winter’s fog.
Turning on the water taps sends icy jolts to my hands, and taking a shower with cold water is not just a wake-up call; it feels like a dare. However, cold morning showers have been my ritual for years. As strange as it may sound it is a proven way of keeping the body to generate heat, thus surviving the cold.
But, this season did not just bring the usual weather changes. Alongside the cold came the flu that has lingered like an unwelcome guest, sweeping through the city and slowing us all down. And this is not the kind of flu that is shrugged off. It is a stubborn one, weighing down its victims with deep muscle aches, intense headaches, and fevers that even the most faithful ginger tea cannot seem to soothe.
Not too long ago, the Ministry of Health put out an announcement on its social media page. They named this flu strain Rhinovirus and explained that while it is a main culprit, other viruses like coronavirus, influenza, parainfluenza, and RSV have also been circulating. Rhinovirus alone, they said, accounts for about half of all common colds. And this season’s dry, windy weather does not help, drying out our nasal passages and making us more susceptible to infection. They reminded us that the virus is highly contagious, spreading through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, or by touching surfaces where it lurks, waiting for a chance to hitch a ride on our hands to our faces.
I have felt how easily it spreads. A friend or family member with a sniffle soon means a whole household starts coughing. Symptoms come fast with a runny nose, cough, fever, and that dreaded loss of appetite. Just when someone thinks they are getting better, another person catches it, and the cycle continues. According to the Ministry, people remain contagious for up to 10 days after symptoms show.
The Ethiopian Public Health Institute has been studying flu-like illnesses for years, keeping tabs on the way these infections make their rounds. And this year, they noted an alarming rise in RSV cases, especially among young children. The numbers tell the story: over 84pc of RSV cases in the last month were in kids under five, likely due to the start of school.
It reminds me how many of us use the word "gunfan" to describe any sort of mild respiratory illness. For most, it is an umbrella term that covers everything from the mildest colds to infections. And because of this one-size-fits-all label, we do not take these illnesses seriously, reaching instead for honey, ginger, or garlic tea. While these remedies bring comfort, sometimes we mistake true illness for a passing discomfort, risking further complications by not seeking medical help when we need it.
As for me, I find myself blending tradition and practicality to stay well. My go-to remedies range from steaming with eucalyptus leaves to brewing ginger and lemon tea. I am not alone in this; even Addis cafés offer warm teas with a hint of ginger or lemon to soothe sore throats. It brings back memories of menthol candies and, of course, there is my ultimate seasonal treat “The Devil’s Soup” at a Chinese restaurant near Mesqel Square—a name that does not do justice to its healing warmth. The spicy broth, packed with vegetables and spices, is nothing short of a saviour on cold nights. The chef declined to divulge his secret ingredient to the recipe, an understandable aspect of any professional creed.
For others, the answer lies in medication. Antihistamines and over-the-counter remedies are popular but can leave people drowsy, a risk for those of us driving or working. I have heard of others who turn to khat, claiming it helps relieve flu symptoms, though its medicinal effect remains a debated topic.
And while we turn to our own remedies, officials stress that without preventive steps, this illness could spread rapidly. Children, elderly people, and those with existing health issues are especially vulnerable. Complications like pneumonia or ear infections can quickly turn what feels like a common cold into a much larger problem.
The Ministry recommends simple steps to curb the spread: wash hands frequently, wear masks in crowded spaces, keep shared surfaces clean, and, whenever possible, improve ventilation in enclosed spaces. They urge those with symptoms to see a doctor rather than risk further spread. Public spaces, shared ATMs, and bus handles are a minefield of touchpoints for the virus, and even cash, as it passes from hand to hand, can unwittingly carry the bug. So, hygiene is not just a good idea; it is essential.
As I settle in with a cup of something hot, I remind myself that this season requires a few extra precautions. As the chill continues, we find ourselves in a familiar, timeless tempo, hoping our simple remedies and small precautions will keep us healthy. And though the flu returns each season, perhaps this time, with a little awareness and care, we can see it for what it is: a season to slow down, take care, and treat ourselves to the warmth that our bodies crave.
PUBLISHED ON
Nov 09,2024 [ VOL
25 , NO
1280]
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