Influenza (the flu)

Symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 days after becoming infected. People are potentially infectious to others even before they have symptoms.

The symptoms of flu can include:

• fever
• sore throat
• dry cough
• headache
• muscle and joint pain
• tiredness or extreme exhaustion

In the elderly, fever may be absent and the only signs and symptoms of flu may be:

• confusion
• shortness of breath
• worsening of a chronic condition

Flu and cold symptoms comparison

*Children are more likely to have gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea).

Groups at risk of severe disease

The following groups are considered at high risk for developing severe disease from influenza:

• the very young – infants and children aged 0-4 years, but especially those younger than 2
• the elderly – adults aged 65 years and older
• those who are immunocompromised
• those with chronic disease (e.g.asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
• pregnant people
• First Nations people

Generally, flu is managed by:

• resting at home
• drinking plenty of fluids (particularly water)
• taking over-the-counter medication to help relieve symptoms (take as directed in the product information).

Prescription antiviral medications can reduce the length of time symptoms last and help you return to your daily routines earlier. These medications are most effective if they are started within 48 hours of flu symptoms appearing. Indications for consideration of prescribing antiviral medications include:

• Severe disease
• Risk of severe disease
• Immunocompromise
• Institutional outbreaks

See your doctor or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if you:

• are concerned about your symptoms
• are in a high-risk group and have a cough and or high fever (38 degrees Celsius or more) that is not improving

Flu can spread from person to person by:

• droplets spreading from an infected person when they cough, sneeze or talk
• touching surfaces contaminated by infected droplets (including hands, remote controls, phones, keyboards and door handles) and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

People with flu can be infectious to others from 24 hours before symptoms start until a week after the start of symptoms. Children and those who have compromised immune systems can be infectious for longer. Even people with mild flu illness can transmit the infection.

You can reduce the risk of infection by getting vaccinated and practising good hand and respiratory hygiene to protect yourself and others. If you are experiencing flu symptoms, you should:

• stay home when you are sick (in general, you can be infectious for up to a week after the onset of symptoms)
• wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub
• wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• if you need to go out when you are unwell, wear a mask and practice social distancing
• use a tissue, or the inside of your arm, when you cough and sneeze
• throw tissues away immediately and wash your hands
• don't share items such as cups, lipstick, toys, cigarettes, vapes or anything which has come into contact with the mouth or nose
• stay at least 1 metre away from people who have flu-like symptoms
• clean frequently touched surfaces regularly, such as mobile phones, keyboards, remote controls, door handles, taps, tables, benches, gym equipment and fridge doors (flu viruses can be removed using household detergent)

Vaccination

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of getting the flu. Being vaccinated gives you protection against the flu by building immunity to the virus and preventing transmission of the virus to vulnerable people in the community who can’t be vaccinated, such as babies who are younger than 6 months and adults with low immunity..

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for:

• children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
• people aged 65 and over
• First Nations people aged 6 months and over
• pregnant people
• people with certain medical conditions aged 6 months and over

Influenza vaccination during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to protect pregnant people and their babies against flu. By getting vaccinated, protective antibodies are passed on to the baby through the placenta which protects them in their first few months of life, when they are most vulnerable and too young to have the influenza vaccine themselves. The maternal vaccinations consumer brochure has more information on flu and vaccination in pregnancy.

The influenza vaccine does not contain live flu viruses and cannot cause the flu. However, some people may experience mild flu-like symptoms for up to 48 hours as their immune system responds to the vaccine. Serious reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare. While some people may experience mild side effects such as pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site, these usually resolve quickly.

Immediate allergic reactions to flu vaccine are extremely rare. People withe egg allergy, including a history of anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with egg-based influenza vaccines.

If you experience any symptoms that concern you, call 13 HEALTH, your doctor, or the immunisation provider.

• vaccine strains
• timing for vaccination
• eligibility for free seasonal influenza vaccines for at-risk groups
• dosage and administration.

Where to get vaccinated:

• your doctor or local immunisation provider
• community pharmacies
• some local councils
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health/medical services
• some employers may offer flu vaccinations for their staff.

Flu and COVID-19

Influenza (flu) is not the same illness as COVID-19. There are separate vaccines available to protect individuals against influenza and COVID-19. Influenza vaccines can be co-administered (i.e. on the same day) with the COVID-19 vaccines. For further advice please visit Top up your COVID-19 protection

Whilst the flu vaccine will not prevent COVID-19, infection it can reduce the severity and spread of flu, which may make a person more susceptible to other respiratory illnesses like coronavirus.

Further information and common questions about COVID-19 can be found on the Queensland Government COVID-19 website.

For more details regarding vaccines that protect against COVID-19 please visit the Australian Government Department of Health's website

Most people recover from the flu within a week, although a cough and tiredness may persist.

Serious complications of flu occur in a small proportion of people who are infected and include pneumonia, inflammation of the heart muscle and neurologic complications, which can lead to hospitalisation and death. People at highest risk of complications from flu include those with pre-existing medical conditions. However, previously healthy people can also have severe complications.

For young children and the elderly, flu is one of the most common vaccine preventable causes of hospitalisation.

For more information

• see your local doctor
• contact the nearest public health unit
• call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) to get qualified health advice 24/7 for the cost of a local call.

If you are in an emergency situation, call 000