Beating the Flu This Winter: Some Steps to Take

After record-breaking low numbers of the flu the past two years due to lockdowns and social distancing, Australia is expected to go back to its high flu numbers in the winter of 2022. Already, with the winter months yet to begin, we have started seeing a surge in flu numbers, with cases in NSW more than doubling in the past few weeks. A major reason for this is that our community has gone back to normal after spending more than two years dealing with lockdowns and now international borders are open as well.. This has caused a sudden increase in cases as people try to make up for the lost time by meeting and hanging out with loved ones, allowing the virus to freely transmit between people.

A second reason, and one which is a major cause for the surge in flu cases, is vaccination fatigue. Having to get two COVID-19 vaccines plus a booster shot in a single year as a mandatory part of managing the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as increased attention to how vaccines work and their efficacy has caused burnout among the common people. This has resulted in people being more hesitant to get a flu shot, even though this vaccine offers the very best protection from the influenza virus. If you think you’ve come down with the flu, book an online GP consultation with Prime Medic to get a medical certificate allowing you to stay home from work or school to prevent the spread of the virus.

What is the flu?

A highly contagious infection that affects the respiratory system, the flu is caused by a virus known as influenza. Although the flu and the common cold are often confused with each other due to the similarity in symptoms, the symptoms of flu are typically more severe and come on faster than those of the common cold. You may experience a cough, high-grade fever, congestion, fatigue and joint and muscle pain when you come down with the flu, and these symptoms typically last between 5 days to a week. The most severe symptoms only last two to three days.

What to do to protect yourself from the flu:

Many of the same regulations as those used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic are used when it comes to protecting yourself from the flu, such as:

The best way to protect yourself against this virus is to get the annual flu shot, even if you got it last year. The influenza virus is constantly mutating, and the strain of last year will differ remarkably from the one circulating around the country this year. This is why scientists and microbiologists are constantly testing and coming up with modified versions of the flu shot every year to offer you greater protection against the current strain.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all ultra-aware of how important it is to maintain a safe distance from people who might be sick. You may also want to stay away from loved ones and colleagues if you have started showing symptoms of flu or feel unwell in any way.

Although face masks are no longer mandatory, it can be a good idea to keep covering your mouth and nose when out and about to protect yourself from possibly sick people around you, especially if you belong to a demographic at greater risk of contracting the virus. This includes pregnant women, adults over the age of 65, those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart or lung disease or young children. Always sneeze into your elbow or cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away immediately.

The flu virus is capable of surviving on hard surfaces such as subway poles and door handles for up to three days. This is why regular touchpoint cleaning at offices and public buildings is so necessary during the flu months. Routine cleaning can help prevent the spread of the virus in areas with high traffic.

Regular hand washing with some antibacterial soap and water can also help keep you safe from the virus. If soap and water aren’t readily available, it is a good idea to keep an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with you at all times and frequently sanitise your hands when out and about.

What to do if you have the flu:

If you’ve already contracted the flu and are feeling less than ideal, take the following steps to aid your recovery:

The most important thing to do when you come down with the flu is to stay at home because the flu virus is most contagious in the first two days of symptoms appearing. Staying home will also allow you to get rest and prevent spreading the illness to vulnerable members of society. Book a quick online GP consultation with Prime Medic today to get a medical certificate for sick leave to allow you to stay home from work for a few days.

The best remedy for tackling colds and flu is getting plenty of rest and fluids. Water, fruit juices with a high Vitamin C content such as juices with citrus, green juice or green juice, soups, herbal teas with honey are all excellent options to replenish the moisture content in the body. Sweating, vomiting and diarrhea can all lead to dehydration, which is why it is important to rehydrate when sick. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

You may be feeling drowsy and fatigued while your body fights against the virus, so this is a terrific time to huddle up in bed, watch your favourite shows and catch up on some sleep. Take naps whenever you feel tired.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are extremely important when battling any kind of sickness to replenish the body’s store of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These will help your immune system fight off the virus faster.

Fever reducers, cough suppressants, decongestants and pain relievers are all medications that are easily available over the counter and can help you deal with specific symptoms. However, when taking OTC medication, it is important to read the product’s label to make sure you’re using it correctly. If you’re ever unsure of how a particular medication is meant to be taken or how much of it you should be taking, feel free to use our live chat option to get online medical advice in Australia from a registered doctor.

If your symptoms don’t improve even after two to three days, it might be a good idea to book an online medical consultation with Prime Medic and get an online prescription for antiviral medication to give your body a boost.

Name: Dr. Muhammad Mohsin, General Practitioner

University Degree: MBBS, AMC

Bio: Dr. Muhammad Mohsin completed his studies from Univerisity of Health Sciences, Lahore Pakistan in 2008. He came to Australia in 2012 and has worked as a resident and GP in various hospitals and medical centres across Australia. He has a particular interest in men's health, travels medicine, chronic disease management, and general family medicine.