How serious is the flu and how many people get it?
The flu can be a serious disease. While most people who catch flu will simply feel unwell and recover within a few days, maybe needing some time off work or school, in some cases it can lead to hospitalisation, complications such as heart disease, lung disease, and occasionally even death. To learn about some of the possible symptoms of the flu, see our article WHICH FLU SYMPTOMS SHOULD I CHECK FOR?.
Flu is a notifiable disease, which means doctors must report every case to the Australian Department of Health. The number of notifications varies significantly from year to year, previous years have seen around 90,000 cases reported, while others have seen numbers as high as 425,000. The number of hospital admissions also fluctuates from year to year in a similar way. While children aged under 5 and adults aged 65 and older are at greatest risk of hospitalisation, people aged 5-64 can develop serious flu infections as well.
When is the flu season and how long does it last?
Although it is possible to catch flu at any time of the year, you are more likely to catch it in the colder months because the flu virus spreads more easily because people are more likely to crowd indoors in colder weather. The peak flu season in Australia usually starts around June and lasts until September, although this varies each year and may differ from state to state.
Why does the flu virus change?
The circulating flu strains constantly change, often as a result of genetic mutations in the virus. This means the flu vaccine must be updated every year. The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee uses flu data from around the world to help determine the composition of each year’s flu vaccines.
Who should get the flu vaccine and when?
The Department of Health recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older be vaccinated against the flu every year. Vaccination is an important defence against flu, along with common-sense measures such as washing your hands regularly and staying away from people who are sick.
The timing of the flu shot is important. Annual vaccination should ideally occur before the onset of each influenza season. If you are considering travelling overseas, remember, different countries have their flu season at different times of the year. Talk to your GP or pharmacist about flu vaccines and how you can protect yourself against the flu.