Influenza
Influenza is an acute respiratory disease. Symptoms include fever, headache, myalgia, lethargy, coryza, sore throat and cough. Infections in children may also be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Croup is a common presentation in children.
For information on where to get a vaccination locally, click here
About the flu
Most symptoms resolve within 2–7 days, although the cough may persist for longer. Complications of influenza include middle-ear infections, secondary bacterial pneumonia and exacerbation of underlying chronic health conditions.
During influenza epidemics, patients with early influenza symptoms (fever >38 °C, plus at least one systemic symptom, such as myalgia, and one respiratory symptom) have a 60–70 per cent chance of having influenza infection.
- Influenza (flu) is a viral disease that causes widespread illness every year.
- Immunisation and practising prevention measures for people who are at risk of complications from the flu are the best ways we can reduce the number of influenza infections and deaths.
- Flu immunisation is recommended for everyone from 6 months of age who want to protect themselves from the flu and its complications.
- People who work or live with people who are at risk of serious complications should also be immunised to avoid spreading the flu.
- The flu vaccine cannot give you a dose of influenza because it does not contain any live virus.
- You can receive your flu vaccine and your COVID-19 vaccine on the same day, one after the other if convenient. There is no time interval required between these vaccines.
To download a fact sheet from the Ovens Murray Public Health Unit, click here
For more information, go to https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/flu-influenza
To download a FAQ about the flu, click here