Flu - CAN BE ANYWHERE
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You could come in contact with
influenza at anytime.
Around one in four New Zealanders are infected with influenza
each year. Many people won't feel sick at all, but can still pass
it on to others.
Influenza can be anywhere. Contact with the influenza
virus is almost unavoidable, and while contact does not necessarily
mean infection, it does mean that you are never far from the
possibility of catching influenza.
Influenza - or the flu - is a virus that spreads quickly
from person to person. Symptoms include fever, chills, aches, runny
nose, a cough and stomach upset.
Immunisation is your best defence against
influenza. Even fit and healthy people should consider getting the
flu jab to protect themselves.
The influenza virus infects your nose, throat and lungs.
The flu is normally worse than a cold.
In temperate climates such as New Zealand's, you're more likely
to get the flu in winter. Some people get very sick
- influenza causes deaths every year.
Symptoms of influenza come on suddenly and can include fever,
chills, muscle aches, runny nose, cough and stomach upsets.
Older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with
certain medical conditions are at a higher risk of developing
serious complications from influenza, such as pneumonia. If you're
at higher risk, it is important to see your doctor early, to find
out if you need treatment.
The flu spreads quickly from person to person through touch and
through the air.
While you're unwell, stay away from work or school. Look after
yourself and your family - rest and fluids are especially
important.
Influenza can be caused by different strains of the influenza
virus. (Symptoms for different types of flu are the same.) The
seasonal influenza vaccine is altered most years to cover the
particular strains of the virus that are circulating each year.
When a new (novel) strain of the flu virus emerges that infects
many people in a very short time, it is called a 'flu
pandemic'.
Click below for more information:
Find out more from the
Ministry
Last updated:
April 8, 2019
