Flu: Common symptoms and how to protect your health

It's that time of year when the cold weather kicks in and the tissues come out.

With winter comes the peak of flu season. Flu is highly contagious, but there are things you can do to help protect yourself.

We break down what the flu is, the common symptoms and how you can reduce your risk.

The flu (or influenza) is a highly contagious virus which affects your respiratory tract (your nose, throat, and sometimes your lungs). There are 2 main types of influenza: type A and type B. Most people are infected with type A, although there are many different strains.¹

The flu is more serious than a common cold and can cause debilitating symptoms in some people. While most cases don't lead to other health complications, the flu is linked to more than 3,000 deaths and around 18,000 hospitalisations in Australia every year.²

Flu viruses mainly spread when someone with the flu sneezes, coughs or talks, and droplets containing the virus spread into the air. If you breathe these droplets in, you might get infected.¹

You can also pick up the flu by touching infected surfaces such as hands, door handles and other shared surfaces, and then touching your nose or mouth. That's why you're more likely to catch the flu in crowded spaces, like on public transport.

Common signs you may have the flu include:¹

• a blocked or runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• cough
• high temperature
• aching muscles and/or chills
• headache.

Fatigue is also a symptom and can last for weeks after other symptoms have gone. Less common symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The flu is more than a bad cold. While most healthy adults will recover within a week or so, certain groups are more likely to develop complications (like pneumonia or an infection of the ear, nose or throat), which can lead to serious health issues or even death. These groups include:¹

• people aged 65 and older
• babies and children aged under 5
• pregnant people
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• people with lowered immunity or other health issues.

Children under the age of 6 can sometimes have seizures or fits (known as febrile convulsions) because of the high body temperature caused by the body's reaction to the virus.³

You might experience symptoms of the flu for just a few days or over a week, but you can be infectious before symptoms appear and remain infectious for 10 days or more from the start of your illness.⁵

Rest, fluids and over-the-counter cold and flu medication (such as paracetamol and ibuprofen) can help to ease symptoms and aid recovery. See your GP if you're concerned about your symptoms, have a high fever, a cough that's not improving or are in a high-risk group (listed above).¹

Good hygiene and healthy habits can lower your chances of getting the flu. Try to:¹

• wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
• avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth
• keep shared items and surfaces clean (like phones, desks, keyboards, cups)
• use hand sanitiser when you can’t wash your hands (such as when using public transport)
• exercise regularly (as little as 30 minutes of brisk walking every day can help reduce stress levels and boost your infection-fighting ability)
• stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke
• eat a healthy, balanced diet
• get enough sleep.

If someone you spend a lot of time with has the flu, encourage them to wear a mask, wash their hands often, and avoid sneezing and coughing around others to reduce the risk of passing it on. Be sure to keep common areas at home and work well ventilated, and get outside for fresh air as much as you can.

If you have the flu, stay home until symptoms have gone to help prevent spreading the virus.

Health experts recommend getting a flu vaccination every year.¹ It reduces your chance of getting the flu and reduces the risk of serious illness if you do get it.⁶ Since flu viruses change and new strains can frequently appear, the flu vaccine formulation is reviewed and revised annually.

While some people report feeling a little under the weather after a flu jab, you can't get a flu infection from it as the virus isn't live.

It takes around 2 weeks for your body to develop immunity once you've been vaccinated, which usually lasts for 9 to 12 months. You should get your flu jab in April or May for maximum protection through peak flu season (from July to September in Australia).

It's recommended people who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy have the flu vaccine. Catching the flu during pregnancy can increase your risk of complications and could affect the outcome of your pregnancy.⁴

Studies have consistently shown that having the flu vaccine during all stages of pregnancy is safe. It is also safe to get vaccinated if you're breastfeeding. The immunisation can help provide ongoing protection to newborn babies for the first 6 months after birth.

Talk to your GP about any concerns you have around the flu and how to get a vaccination.