Influenza - the flu
What is influenza?
Influenza — usually shortened to ‘flu’ — is a viral infection of your nose, throat and sometimes your lungs. Special care is needed if children, the elderly or those with other health problems have flu, as influenza can cause severe illness in these populations.
The flu is usually not dangerous for a healthy person, but from time to time, new strains emerge that can cause serious illness and death even in healthy people.
While a lot of illnesses with cough, runny nose, fever and headaches are called ‘flu’, influenza is a specific illness caused by influenza virus. Most illnesses that are termed ‘flu’ in everyday language are NOT influenza.
How did I get influenza?
The viruses that cause influenza are always around us. They constantly change, so having had the flu before doesn’t stop us getting it again. Influenza frequently occurs in epidemics, most commonly in autumn and winter. Sometimes when a new strain emerges it can spread across the globe — a so-called pandemic. The virus is very infectious and is spread from person to person by direct contact, touching contaminated objects or the fine droplets that are shot from the nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
What does influenza feel like?
Typical influenza in adults is characterised by the sudden onset of chills, fever, headache, weakness, cough, and generalised aches and pains (especially in the back and legs). You may also have a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat.
Occasionally, the infection spreads to the lungs, causing bronchitis or pneumonia. This is more likely among the elderly, heavy smokers, people in poor health and people with asthma or other chest complaints. Children may complain of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and appear generally unwell.
The illness typically lasts up to a week, but fatigue and cough may persist for longer.
What makes influenza better?
- Resting until you feel better and the fever goes.
- Drinking at least 8 glasses of fluid (such as water, fruit juice, cordial, iceblocks) a day. This is very important when you are sweating and feverish. Avoid tea, coffee or alcohol as they dry you out even more. Fresh lemon juice mixed with honey, some hot water and a little olive oil, well shaken then sipped, can soothe a sore throat or dry cough. Eat light food, only when hungry.
- Taking medicine for fever and pain. Do not give children aspirin. Ask your chemist for children’s paracetamol. Follow the instructions on the bottle carefully.
- Antiviral medicines are also available, which can reduce the amount of time you are unwell. This medicine needs to be taken within 48 hours of getting the symptoms of the flu (aching joints and fever) to be effective. However, most people get better without taking antiviral drugs.
How can my doctor help with influenza?
See your doctor if your influenza has not improved after 4 days or if you are elderly or have other long-term health problems. Young children with flu need to see their doctor. Influenza is caused by a virus so antibiotics do not help, unless you get a bacterial infection following the flu, which sometimes happens.
If you see your doctor within 48 hours they may prescribe a specific antiviral medicine.
Influenza vaccines
Being vaccinated against influenza is recommended for people who want to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza. You should get advice from your doctor about whether influenza vaccination is recommended for young children. If you are at high risk of getting influenza, more likely to have complications or are in an essential service (such as police and hospital workers) your doctor may strongly recommend you have an influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination is provided free for anyone over 65, those who have long-term health problems and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people over 50. The influenza vaccine will improve your chances of not getting the flu, but does not give 100 per cent protection.
New vaccines are made each year, depending on the type of virus that is around. They are generally released for use at about the beginning of March, and to maintain protection, you should be vaccinated every autumn. Influenza vaccines should not be given to babies under 6 months, people who have extremely severe allergies to hen’s eggs, or who have had bad reactions to a flu vaccine before. Pregnant women should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of vaccines with their doctor.
Last Reviewed: 23 February 2009
