What is flu?

• Flu is the common name for a virus called ‘influenza’. 
• Viruses cause an infection in your body. 
• Flu causes an infection of your respiratory system (nose, throat and lungs). 
• Flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract that for some people can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications (including pneumonia).
• It affects people of all ages.
• The flu is spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes that contain the virus.
• The flu is a seasonal infection that usually occurs from April to September.
• Flu seasons vary in severity and spread from year to year.
• In a year of high influenza activity, it is estimated that the flu can contribute to more than 3,300 deaths in Australia.
• Even healthy people can sometimes die from the flu.
• For vulnerable Tasmanians, like young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system or chronic medical condition, the flu can have serious outcomes.
• Vaccination is key to protecting yourself and those around you from the flu.

Symptoms of the flu

Symptoms are things you might feel that mean you are sick. It can be difficult to tell flu apart from COVID-19, or other winter illnesses. Common symptoms of flu include: 

• fever 
• muscle aches 
• feeling very tired  
• headache 
• a cough. 

For more information about COVID-19 symptoms visit the Tasmanian coronavirus website

It is important to know when to seek medical care. If you feel like your symptoms are getting worse but are not serious, contact your GP or healthcare provider.

If you need urgent care, call Triple Zero (000).

Symptoms of flu include:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain
• sudden dizziness
• confusion
• severe vomiting
• fever with a rash
• or any other symptoms that worry you.

How flu is diagnosed

• Flu can only be confirmed by a doctor after a nose or throat swab has returned positive results.

How flu affects people

• The flu virus is contagious.  
• This means it spreads easily from person to person. 
• The flu virus can live for up to five minutes on your hands. 
• It can also live for up to a day on hard surfaces. 
• It spreads when infected people cough or sneeze without covering their mouths and noses. 
• It also spreads if you touch a surface that an infected person has touched. 
• It takes between one and four days to start feeling unwell if you are infected. 
• You can be contagious one day before symptoms start until one week after you start to feel unwell. 
• Contagious means you can spread the virus to other people. 
• Children and people with impaired immune systems may pass the virus on for longer. 
• An impaired immune system means your body can't protect you against infection as well as other people. 

How to prevent flu

You can reduce your chances of catching flu or passing it to others by: 

• Getting the flu vaccine every year. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older.
• Wash your hands often and well to get rid of germs  
• Wash your hands using soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• Stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people 
• Cover your mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze. 
• Stay home from work, school or childcare while you, or your child, are unwell.  
• If you are unwell, do not visit people who are at risk of severe flu. This includes young children, pregnant women, people with other medical conditions, the elderly, people in hospital or aged care homes. 

How to treat flu

• Stay home and rest. 
• Avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. 
• You can take over-the-counter medicine like paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have a fever, headache, and muscle aches.  
• Carefully follow the instructions on how much paracetamol or ibuprofen to take. 
• Drink lots of water. You can also use hydration solutions to help stay hydrated.
• See your doctor if your symptoms are getting worse. Let them know you have respiratory symptoms.
• In certain circumstances your doctor may choose to give you a medicine called an antiviral. Your doctor will decide if this is suitable for you.  
• Most people recover within a week. 
• Some people are more at risk.
• Care for eligible people who have flu or flu-like illness may be available through COVID@homeplus. Learn more about COVID@homeplus

Differences between the common cold, COVID-19 and flu

• Other viruses can affect your respiratory system (nose, throat and lungs). 
• The flu is different to the ‘common cold’, COVID-19 and other winter illnesses.
• Learn about COVID-19 on the Tasmanian coronavirus website
• Sometimes the symptoms can feel similar. Symptoms are things you might feel that mean you are sick. 
• Winter illnesses, including flu and COVID-19, can cause serious illness, like pneumonia. 
• Pneumonia can be life-threatening for older people or if you have certain medical conditions. 

Where to get more information

• Speak to your doctor or pharmacy.
• Visit COVID@homeplus
• Call Tasmania’s Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738
• Visit the Immunise Australia website or call 1800 671 811
• Visit the Australian Government’s Influenza Immunisation Advice website