Influenza A

What is Influenza?

Influenza (or "the flu") is caused by infection with influenza viruses A , B and rarely C. It mainly affects the throat and lungs, but can also cause problems with the heart and rest of the body, especially in people with other health problems. Influenza viruses regularly changes, causing epidemics each winter in NSW. Every few decades a new type of influenza virus will emerge causing a severe and widespread epidemic (or pandemic).

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually occur one to three days after infection, and may include sudden onset of:

• fever

• headache

• muscle and joint pain
• sore throat
• cough

• runny or stuffy nose

• severe tiredness.

Most people recover within a week. Compared with many other infections (like the common cold), influenza tends to cause more severe symptoms and complications. Complications can include pneumonia, heart failure, or worsening of other illnesses.

How is it spread?

• The virus is mainly spread from person to person through droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through touching (e.g., when a person shakes hands with another). It is easier to catch influenza in confined or crowded spaces.
• A person with influenza is contagious from the day before, until a few days after symptoms begin.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can get influenza. The elderly, people with other illnesses (such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes) and small children are more likely to develop complications.

Don't spread it around! If you get symptoms of influenza:

• stay at home until you are better
• cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of it in the garbage after use
• wash your hands with soap and running water for 10 seconds after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, and before touching other
• people or objects that other people might touch
• when visiting the doctor, call ahead to see if the doctor can put you in a separate waiting area and ask for a mask if you are coughing and have to wait near other people.

Learn more here