IT'S that time of year again: the onset of the dreaded flu season, and all Australians are being advised to get vaccinated - especially the over-65s who can get the vaccine free.
Older people are particularly vulnerable to the flu and to serious complications that can result in hospital admission, intensive care and even death. Flu is estimated to be responsible for more than 5000 hospitalisations and almost 170 deaths in Australia each year.
Should I get vaccinated?
The short answer is "yes".
The 2017 vaccine is available from GPs and pharmacists now and will cover four strains (Michigan, Hong Kong, Brisbane and Phuket).
The federal government is making 4.5 million doses of vaccine, supplied by drug companies GlaxoSmith Klein, Sanofi and Sequirus, available though the national immunisation program.
Three different types of flu viruses infect humans - influenza A, B and C - but only influenza A and B cause major outbreaks and severe disease.
Flu spreads from person to person through the air by coughing or sneezing, or by direct contact with the virus on hard surfaces or people's hands - think ATM buttons, shopping trolley handles, escalator rails, shaking hands... a great reminder to wash hands frequently and carry that little bottle of hand sanitizer for when soap and water are not available.
Medical experts advise getting a flu shot each year as the circulating viruses change.
The World Health Organisation makes recommendations about the strains likely to cause the greatest problem each year - usually the northern hemisphere's flu season points the way to what strains Australia is likely to face.
Getting in early with your vaccination has a double benefit: it allows protection to develop well ahead of the peak flu season; and the more people vaccinated the better the community, as a whole, is protected.
Is it the flu?
If you wake up in the morning with a sore throat, it can be difficult to decide whether you have a cold or the flu. Both can start with the same sort of symptoms but with flu the symptoms are usually worse, last longer and can lead to complications such as chest infections and pneumonia - particularly among the elderly, young children and pregnant women.
Flu symptoms tend to develop abruptly one to three days after infection, and can include tiredness, high fever, chills, headache, coughing, sneezing, runny noses, poor appetite and muscle aches.
Most people who get the flu will suffer from mild illness and will recover in around four weeks. However, some people can develop more severe health problems, including pneumonia, bronchitis, chest and sinus infections, heart, blood system or liver complications.
Flu - what to do?
So what to do if you don't have a flu shot (shame on you) and get the flu - or you are one of the unfortunates who pick up a strain not included in the vaccination:
- Don't soldier on (despite what the advertisement says). Rest, rest and rest some more - stay home, stay in bed or become a couch potato. Don't go out spreading your germs.
- Drink lots (non alcoholic). The flu can make you dehydrated, which can lead to other health problems.
- Stay warm.
- Take medications to reduce your fever and aches and pains - only if it is medically safe for you to do so (ask your pharmacist as some medications can react with prescription drugs).
- Gargling with salt water can ease a sore throat; or suck on ice cubes, throat lozenges or try the old honey and lemon drink remedy.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
- Phone a friend. If you live on your own it's wise to let a friend or family member know you're not well so they can keep a check on you, pop to the pharmacy to pick up some throat lozenges, or make you a nice pot of chicken soup (don't be a martyr - you would want your friend to call you for help if they weren't well!).
- Inhaling steam from a shower, bath or portable vaporiser will help clear the nose and sinuses (beware of hot water, especially if you are unsteady on your feet or are looking after a young person).
When to go to the doctor
If you or someone you are caring for:
- Can't or won't drink fluids
- Vomits frequently
- Has an intense headache
- Has chest pain or breathing difficulties
- Develops a rash with fever
- Are pale and sleepy
- Has symptoms lasting longer than 10 days
- Has a cough lasting longer than three weeks
If you are not sure whether you should see a doctor, phone Health Direct 1800-022-222 - it's a free service where you can speak to a registered nurse or doctor and get some advice.
In an emergency call triple-zero.
*Seek medical attention for a child who has a high temperature that is not being controlled with medication. If in doubt phone Health Direct, visit your GP, call a home visiting doctor or go to the hospital.
To take antibiotics or not
Antibiotics only work for bacterial infections so they won't work for colds and flu, which are caused by viruses. Overuse of antibiotics is leading to antibiotic resistance, which means one day we won't have any that work.
Free flu vaccinations
Vaccinations are provided free to:
- People aged 65 and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait people aged six months to less than five years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 and over
- Pregnant women
- People aged six months and over with medical conditions such as severe asthma, lung or heart disease, low immunity or diabetes that can lead to complications from influenza. (Anyone who has a poor immune system or who is on immune suppressant medication should consult their doctor before having the flu vaccination.)
Even though the vaccine may be free, some GPs may charge a consultation fee. Pharmacies may also charge to administer the vaccine.
Pneumonia
If you are over 65 and haven't already done so, now is also the time to have the pneumococcal vaccination (it's also free).
Pneumococcal disease refers to a wide range of infections caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia/pneumonia. The most severe infections, bacteraemia (a blood stream infection) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes enclosing the brain), are a leading cause of life-threatening illnesses in Australia - particularly among children under two and elderly people.
