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What is the Flu(Influenza)?

Influenza (the flu) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that affect the nose, throat and lungs. Flu symptoms can develop suddenly and may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, and muscle and body aches.²

Each year in Australia, influenza contributes to many hospitalisations and hundreds of thousands of doctor visits.¹ The flu can also cause serious health complications and, in some cases, can be life-threatening. This is why flu vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself and others from influenza.

The best way to help protect against the flu is to have an annual flu vaccine and practise good hygiene.¹ Because influenza viruses change frequently, the flu vaccine is updated each year to help provide protection against the strains expected to be most common during the upcoming flu season.*

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What causes the flu?

The flu is highly contagious and can be difficult to avoid. Influenza spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing respiratory droplets that can be breathed in by others or spread through direct contact.^ A single sneeze can release up to 100,000 germs into the air.³

You can also catch the flu by touching a surface contaminated with the flu virus and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes.^

People with influenza can be infectious from around 24 hours before symptoms appear and for up to one week after symptoms begin. The flu can spread particularly quickly in high-contact environments such as workplaces and schools.^ Practising good hygiene and getting an annual flu vaccine can help reduce your risk of catching and spreading influenza.

The first signs of the flu

Sometimes people confuse flu symptoms such as runny nose, cough, sore throat and sneezing with the common cold (which is another respiratory illness), however, flu symptoms often come on suddenly and are generally more severe than a common cold⁴. Flu symptoms usually appear about 1-3 days after catching the flu and can last for a week or more^.

What are flu symptoms?

Flu symptoms experienced can range from mild to very severe and may include²:

  • Fever and chills
  • Headaches
  • Muscle and body aches
  • Lethargy or feeling tired and weak
  • Sneezing and runny or stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Vomiting and diarrhea – more common in children

Other symptoms to watch out for

  • Loss of appetite
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain

The severity of symptoms is different for each individual, and it is recommended that you consult your doctor immediately should you experience any of the above symptoms.

Pharmacist giving Flu shot

How do you get relief from symptoms?

A mild flu will get better on its own, usually within about a week, without any treatment². However, for more severe cases of the flu, you may need to see a doctor who can prescribe medications or, in some cases, hospitalisation, if necessary. For severe cases, antiviral medication may assist with reducing the severity of symptoms or length of illness. While this kind of treatment is not advised for a mild flu, there are a few ways to help relieve flu symptoms²:

  • Rest and adequate sleep
  • Medication, including cold and flu tablets or mild painkillers, may help relieve body aches and pain. It’s important to speak to a pharmacist first about dosage and what other medication you are taking.
  • Nasal sprays may help relieve a blocked nose; however, it’s important to discuss which type is suited to your symptoms and how to use it correctly
  • Throat lozenges can assist in relieving a sore throat
  • Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water
  • Try to stay nourished by eating nutritious foods, high in vitamins and minerals
  • Speak to your local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist for expert advice on managing your symptoms

Antibiotics

Often people enquire about taking antibiotics to treat the flu. Antibiotics are not effective in treating a cold and the flu because these health conditions are caused by viral infections. Antibiotics are useful for helping to treat bacterial infections. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts you and your family at risk of developing resistance to the antibiotic, so it is not recommended.

How TerryWhite Chemmart can help

Your local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist can provide expert advice on managing cold and flu symptoms, recommend products that may be right for you, and help you understand your options for flu prevention. Depending on your location and eligibility, your pharmacist may also be able to provide an influenza vaccination to help protect you against the flu.

Book now

Flu (Influenza)

Influenza (the flu) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that affect the nose, throat and lungs. Flu symptoms can develop suddenly and may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, and muscle and body aches.2

Each year in Australia, influenza contributes to many hospitalisations and hundreds of thousands of doctor visits.1 The flu can also cause serious health complications and, in some cases, can be life-threatening. This is why flu vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself and others from influenza.

The best way to help protect against the flu is to have an annual flu vaccine and practise good hygiene.1 Because influenza viruses change frequently, the flu vaccine is updated each year to help provide protection against the strains expected to be most common during the upcoming flu season.*

Book now

What causes the flu?

The flu is highly contagious and can be difficult to avoid. Influenza spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing respiratory droplets that can be breathed in by others or spread through direct contact.^ A single sneeze can release up to 100,000 germs into the air.3

You can also catch the flu by touching a surface contaminated with the flu virus and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes.^

People with influenza can be infectious from around 24 hours before symptoms appear and for up to one week after symptoms begin. The flu can spread particularly quickly in high-contact environments such as workplaces and schools.^ Practising good hygiene and getting an annual flu vaccine can help reduce your risk of catching and spreading influenza.

100,000
germs released into the air from a single sneeze3
24 hrs
you can be contagious before you even feel sick

The first signs of the flu

Sometimes people confuse flu symptoms such as runny nose, cough, sore throat and sneezing with the common cold (which is another respiratory illness), however, flu symptoms often come on suddenly and are generally more severe than a common cold4. Flu symptoms usually appear about 1-3 days after catching the flu and can last for a week or more^.

TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist administering a flu vaccination to a patient

What are flu symptoms?

Flu symptoms experienced can range from mild to very severe and may include2:

Fever and chills
Headaches
Muscle and body aches
Lethargy or feeling tired and weak
Sneezing and runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat
Cough
Vomiting and diarrhea – more common in children
!

Other symptoms to watch out for

Loss of appetite
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain

The severity of symptoms is different for each individual, and it is recommended that you consult your doctor immediately should you experience any of the above symptoms.

How do you get relief from symptoms?

A mild flu will get better on its own, usually within about a week, without any treatment2. However, for more severe cases of the flu, you may need to see a doctor who can prescribe medications or, in some cases, hospitalisation, if necessary. For severe cases, antiviral medication may assist with reducing the severity of symptoms or length of illness. While this kind of treatment is not advised for a mild flu, there are a few ways to help relieve flu symptoms2:

✓ Rest and adequate sleep
✓ Medication, including cold and flu tablets or mild painkillers, may help relieve body aches and pain. It’s important to speak to a pharmacist first about dosage and what other medication you are taking.
✓ Nasal sprays may help relieve a blocked nose; however, it’s important to discuss which type is suited to your symptoms and how to use it correctly
✓ Throat lozenges can assist in relieving a sore throat
✓ Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water
✓ Try to stay nourished by eating nutritious foods, high in vitamins and minerals
✓ Speak to your local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist for expert advice on managing your symptoms

Antibiotics

Often people enquire about taking antibiotics to treat the flu. Antibiotics are not effective in treating a cold and the flu because these health conditions are caused by viral infections. Antibiotics are useful for helping to treat bacterial infections. Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts you and your family at risk of developing resistance to the antibiotic, so it is not recommended.

How TerryWhite Chemmart can help

Your local TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacist can provide expert advice on managing cold and flu symptoms, recommend products that may be right for you, and help you understand your options for flu prevention. Depending on your location and eligibility, your pharmacist may also be able to provide an influenza vaccination to help protect you against the flu.