Is COVID-19 back? The Suspicious Flu Giving People Anxiety

By Anelitha Tukela

The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on women in rural areas of the Eastern Cape especially regarding mental health as social connections were prevented and rituals halted. Women have reported feeling increasing anxiety whenever they feel covid-like symptoms like fever, a sore throat or headaches. This collective trauma of the pandemic has been reignited by media reports of a new virus Mpox spreading around Africa with a few cases in South Africa. Although this has not been a major problem in South Africa, women are expressing their uncertainty of  future pandemics. Furthermore, this anxiety strains healthcare systems as individuals frequently seek medical attention for mild symptoms, overwhelming local clinics. In this blog, I will explore the reasons behind this anxiety, its implications, and potential strategies for lessening it. Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, concerns have been raised about the possible mental health effects of the pandemic; including concerns about depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Though feelings of distress about COVID-19 may come and go, they are still an issue for many people.

Figure 1: Image of Tuba Village Clinic (Taken: August 2024, Anelitha Tukela)

I have noticed as the winter started that people in the village are anxious about getting sick, especially with fever. Most participants stated that the recent fever is very strong and they believe it is not a regular fever, but a return of COVID-19. They state that "fever didn't feel this way before the pandemic, now after the pandemic, we are experiencing a different kind of fever which we would say is COVID-19". One participant described it and stated "I once had COVID-19 and I know how it feels and this fever that we have now feels exactly like how COVID-19 feels. The symptoms of the fever are the same and that is why we decide that COVID-19 is back…we are using the same remedies we used during the pandemic”.

During the height of the pandemic, fever was one of the main symptoms of COVID-19. This was further covered by the persistent uncertainty and fear surrounding the virus, which was different, highly transmittable, and capable of causing severe illness and death in many cases. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the anxiety linked to fever continued. Based on casual conversations in the field I have noted that the pandemic experience was a collective trauma, and its effects are long-lasting. The fear of COVID-19 has not entirely degenerated; instead it has become a part of the collective being. When individuals experience a fever post-pandemic, it can trigger memories and emotions associated with the height of the crisis. I believe the anxiety is also caused by the media reports, reports of new variants, breakthrough infections, and other infectious diseases can rekindle fears. The uncertainty about the future of COVID-19 and other potential pandemics contributes to this lasting fear.

The anxiety surrounding fever in a post-pandemic community has several important implications such as it can lead to increased stress and a reduced quality of life. The increase of stress is more on older people as they fear that they will get infected by the virus and they won’t survive because they have chronic illnesses or a commorbities like diabetes or heart disease. However, old people have become overly cautious, avoiding social interactions and public places even when it is unnecessary. This behaviour has led to feelings of isolation and depression, worsening the mental health crisis. The persistent fear of COVID-19 symptoms also placed strain on healthcare systems. Individuals experiencing symptoms may seek medical attention more frequently, overwhelming healthcare providers and diverting resources from those in need of urgent care. This will be a problem in the community as the satellite clinic nurses are already overwhelmed by the number of patients that visit the clinic and with such fear and anxiety which could result in chronic patients not being attended to.

To address and avoid further anxiety and fear, public health communication must continue to evolve, providing clear, accurate, and reassuring information about the current state of COVID-19 and other health risks in our local clinics and over social media. People in rural areas should also be provided with flu booster medication, to reduce anxiety about flu season. Mental health support is crucial; increasing access to mental health services, promoting self-care strategies, and encouraging open conversations about anxiety can help individuals manage their fears. However, the health care in rural areas should also include education about general health and common illnesses can help clarify symptoms like fever. By understanding that fever can result from various causes, many of which are not severe, individuals can learn to assess their symptoms more rationally and seek appropriate care without undue fear. However, understanding the roots of this anxiety and its implications is essential for developing strategies to help individuals and societies move forward.

Figure 2: Nurses organise medicine for the flu season (Taken: August 2024, Anelitha Tukela

This anxiety is fuelled by traumatic pandemic experiences, media reports of new variants, and uncertainty about future health threats, especially in rural communities where fear leads to increased stress, social isolation, and a strain on already overworked healthcare systems. To mitigate these effects, it is crucial to evolve public health communication, enhance mental health support, promote self-care, and foster open discussions about anxiety within these rural communities. Furthermore, educating the public about general health and common illnesses can reduce unnecessary panic and encourage rational symptom assessment.