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Autumn: time to think about flu vaccinesAutumn: time to think about flu vaccines

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Mid-autumn is when anyone at risk of seasonal influenza (‘flu’) should think about having a seasonal flu vaccine so their body has time to develop immunity before winter starts.

The seasonal flu vaccine changes slightly each year as it’s designed specifically to treat whichever forms of the flu viruses are circulating. This year swine flu—one of these forms—is still a concern.

This year’s seasonal flu vaccine includes protection against swine flu but supplies are primarily targeted at those at risk of seasonal flu, including pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15–64 years, people aged 5–64 years with chronic medical conditions such as cardiac disease and respiratory conditions, and anyone aged 65 years and over.

Even if you aren’t at risk of seasonal flu talk to your doctor about swine flu vaccination, especially for children, adolescents and young adults.

Don’t forget that the flu vaccine protects against seasonal flu but not against the common cold because they are different viruses.

Is it a common cold or seasonal flu?

Seasonal flu is not the same thing as a common cold.

Common colds are infections of the respiratory tract and usually last 7–10 days. Symptoms can include sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, a sore throat and coughing. Green or yellow mucus may come from the nose; this is a sign that the immune system is fighting the infection and does not mean the cold is getting worse. Fever is generally mild if it does occur.

Seasonal flu, usually affects people during the winter months of June to September and last 2–7 days. The flu viruses that circulate every winter are often similar to those from the preceding winter, so there is already a level of immunity (body defenses) in the community. Seasonal flu most commonly affects the very young or the elderly.

Seasonal influenza usually starts suddenly with a high fever and you may feel sick enough to go to bed. Symptoms can also include irritation in the throat or lungs, a dry cough, shivering, sweating and severe muscle aches. The flu tends to make the whole body ache, whereas the common cold usually affects the nose and throat only.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to normal seasonal flu symptoms and most commonly include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, headache and chills.

Treatment options if you have seasonal flu

If you have seasonal flu, stay at home, drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest and take pain relief if you need it for aches and pains.

Keep a close watch on people with seasonal flu and seek medical advice if their condition deteriorates. Some people are at greater risk of severe complications, such as those with chronic medical conditions. These people should see their healthcare provider immediately if they develop seasonal flu symptoms.

Treatment options if you do catch a cold

Once you have a cold there’s not a lot you can do. Antibiotics work only on bacteria—they don't work on the viruses that cause common colds, so they won't help common colds get better faster, won't stop cold symptoms getting worse, and won't stop colds spreading to others.

Using antibiotics when you don’t need to contributes to the development and spread of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. This makes antibiotics less effective when they really are needed for serious infections.

The best thing to do is stay at home, drink plenty of fluids that don’t contain caffeine, get lots of rest and take pain relief if you need it for aches and pains.

If you get worse after about two days, or experience different symptoms like vomiting or diarrhoea, or have other chronic conditions you should see your doctor.

Some cold and flu tablets contain pain relief ingredients like codeine, so if you take them make sure you don’t double up by taking additional pain relief medicines. While cold and flu tablets may relieve the symptoms they don’t actually work on the virus and do not change the duration of the cold. Many people experience side effects from cold and flu medicines and they are not recommended for children.

How to avoid getting sick

To reduce your chances of catching a cold or seasonal flu, or of giving it to someone else:
  • cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing
  • keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth
  • use paper tissues to blow your nose, and throw tissues away after use
  • wash hands with soap, particularly before preparing and eating food and after blowing your nose
  • avoid sharing cups, glasses and cutlery.


Date published: 2010-05-18 00:00:00

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

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