What is seasonal flu
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza type A or type B viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can be fatal. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination (flu injection) each winter. 9
Each year in Australia, seasonal flu imposes a heavy burden on society:9
- About 5% to 20% of the population get the flu
- More than 20,000 people are hospitalised with flu complications
- About 1,500 people die from flu complications
Common flu symptoms in adults and young children9
Flu spreads easily9
Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. The flu viruses usually spread from person-to-person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with a flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you can pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Cold Vs Flu
Some people call any cold or other upper respiratory tract infection "the flu". It is important to realise that influenza is a specific illness caused by the influenza virus. Some of the features of influenza are listed below.
Influenza or the common cold:
| Influenza | Common Cold |
| Spectrum of illness | Systemic (whole body) | Local - nose and throat |
| Speed of onset | Sudden | Gradual |
| Fever | Usually High | Usually mild |
| Other symptoms | Chills, muscle aches, cough, sore throat | Sneezing, nasal congestion, sinusitis |
| Severity | Severe - confined to bed | Usually mild |
| Course of illness | May be prolonged | Usually brief |
* Note: some other respiratory viruses may cause influenza-like illness.
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