Influenza
If you have been anywhere near a TV or the radio in the last few weeks I’m sure you have head the flu season is about to start and it’s time to get prepared, so here is a quick rundown of what you need to know!
What is it?
The flu (or seasonal influenza as people in lab coats like to call it) is a very common infection caused by the influenza viruses. This virus tends to infect the respiratory tract and often presents like a very bad cold. Common symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Body aches
- Fevers
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Feeling altogether rotten and flat
Some people have all of these symptoms, some only a few but in general, most people feel pretty flat and tired. Symptoms generally last 5-10 days and for most people after 5 days they are no longer contagious.
How do I catch it?
The virus spreads from person to person by ‘respiratory droplets.’ This means that when a person who has the flu breaths out they exhale the virus and anyone around them may breathe it in. The flu is extremely contagious, it spreads from person to person very quickly and a person may be contagious before they even realise that they are sick.
The main flu season is from May to September in South Australia
How do I stop myself from catching it?
Unfortunately there is no 100% effective way of preventing the flu, but there are things that you can do to reduce your chances of catching it. Simple measures like avoiding people who are sick and washing your hands will help reduce the chance of transmission.
Immunisation is another option. The influenza vaccine is a yearly vaccine that is designed to protect against the most common strains of flu each year. It doesn’t provide protection against all types of the flu and it won’t guarantee that you won’t get it but it does significantly reduce your risk. The flu vaccine is very safe and can be given to anyone over the age of 6 months who wants to reduce their chance of catching the flu. Some people do get side effects but these tend to be mild and resolve within a day.
The best time to get the flu vaccine is early May and the government will subsidise (i.e. pay for) it for people over the age of 65 and those at high risk, such as pregnant women, people with asthma and some other medical conditions. If you are interested in the flu vaccine, speak to your doctor about how to arrange it. For those who are subsidised the vaccine should be available by mid to late April and it is already available in pharmacies if you want to buy it privately.
How do I treat the flu?
If you are unlucky enough to get the flu then there are a few things to keep in mind. Because the flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t make you feel any better. The best way to treat the flu is to treat the symptoms it causes. Take regular paracetamol for aches and pains and drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. Gets as much rest as possible and if you are having trouble managing your symptoms then come in and see your GP.
The other thing to keep in mind is that its important to make sure you don’t spread it to those around you.
If you are coughing or sneezing then make sure to cover your mouth and wash your hands regularly, avoid contact with other people, particularly those who are more at risk, e.g. the elderly, young children, and those with other medical conditions.
For people at increased risk of serious infections there are anti-viral medications available, however they are expensive and they only reduce the illness by about 1 day so in most cases they aren’t appropriate.
At the end of the day the flu is a common illness that often leaves people feeling pretty rotten but in most cases can be managed well at home. Flu vaccines will be available soon in clinic so if you want to reduce your risk come on in and discuss your options with your GP!
