NEW research shows many Australians are becoming complacent about influenza this upcoming flu season.
According to the latest data, there had been almost 14,500 confirmed cases of the flu so far in 2023.
In 2022, this volume of confirmed cases wasn’t seen until early May.
The Australian Attitudes to Influenza Index asked 1017 adults aged 18 years and older about their attitudes to flu.
Results showed that 33 per cent of adults said the flu was only somewhat serious, with 14 per cent saying it’s not very, or not at all, serious.
Only 20 per cent of people aged 18-24 thought flu was very serious compared with nearly 60 per cent of those people aged 65 and older.
A Swan Hill District Health spokesperson said these statistics were alarming.
“The influenza virus, which changes all the time and has many different strains, doesn’t discriminate and everyone is at risk of catching it,” they said.
“It doesn’t matter how fit and healthy you are, or your age.
“For the first two years of COVID, influenza was almost eliminated from the population with cases dropping significantly.
“In 2022, we saw border restrictions ease, lockdowns lifted and in turn an increase in flu cases.
“Whilst what 2023 may have in store for us in terms of flu is yet to be discovered, we have already seen higher rates compared to this time last year.
“Experts think that the general complacency amongst our population in regards to flu comes down to many not understanding the difference between the flu and common cold, and therefore not taking the relevant precautionary steps.”
The flu is highly contagious.
An infection occurs when you breathe in droplets from the sneezes and coughs of an infected person, or if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your mouth, eyes or nose.
People with flu can be infectious for over a week, and flu symptoms are usually more intense than a common cold and include a runny nose or sneezing, cough or sore throat, fever, chills and headache, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
While most people do experience fairly mid flu symptoms, flu is a serious disease that can result in hospitalisation and sometimes even death.
So what can you do to better protect yourself and your family from catching the flu this winter season?
• Maintain distance or avoid work and activities with symptomatic individuals and households
• If you don’t feel well, stay home
• Wash your hands regularly
• Get a flu vaccination
The Swan Hill Primary Health Medical Centre will be running flu vaccination clinics on Saturday mornings from April 15 for people aged 65 and older.
Book by calling 5033 9900.
People are encouraged to book a flu vaccine through their local pharmacies.
“Vaccination takes two to three weeks to build immunity, so the sooner you get onto it the sooner you can take comfort in knowing you have done your best to protect yourself this flu season,” the spokesperson said.
