Flu (Influenza)
Flu hits suddenly: fever, aches, exhaustion and a dry cough, often wiping you out for a week. Most people recover at home, but it can be dangerous for babies, older people, pregnant women and people with chronic illness. The yearly vaccine is the best protection.
Symptoms
- Sudden fever and chills, muscle aches, headache and exhaustion
- Dry cough and sore throat; children may have vomiting or diarrhoea
- Worst for 3–4 days; tiredness and cough can linger for 2 weeks or more
Call 000 or go to an emergency department for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, a seizure, blue lips, not passing urine, or a baby who is floppy, not feeding or hard to wake. Getting better then suddenly worse again also needs urgent care.
Who should see a doctor early (within 48 hours)
- People 65 and over, pregnant women, babies and young children
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Anyone with heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, obesity or a weak immune system
- Residents of aged care
What helps
Testing (a combined flu and COVID rapid test or a nose swab PCR) helps decide on antivirals.
- Step 1 · Self-careRest, fluids, paracetamol or ibuprofenTreat fever and aches; stay home until 24 hours fever-free.
- Works
- Eases symptoms; most people recover in 1–2 weeks
- Cost
- Low cost
- How long
- Days
- Watch for
- Don’t give aspirin to children.
Flu isn’t a bad cold. If you could go to work, it probably isn’t flu.
- Step 2 · PrescriptionOseltamivir (Tamiflu) antiviralBest started within 48 hours, mainly for people at higher risk or very unwell.
- Works
- Shortens symptoms by about a day on average; may lower complications in high-risk people
- Cost
- $25 on the PBS for eligible people; otherwise private
- How long
- 5 days
- Watch for
- Nausea; take with food.
Costs are rough Australian prices and vary by pharmacy and provider. PBS co-payment: $25, or $7.70 with a concession card. Results are typical figures from trials, not promises.
The flu vaccine
- A new vaccine each year, ideally from April so you’re protected for the winter peak.
- Free under the National Immunisation Program for children 6 months to under 5, people 65 and over, pregnant women (any stage), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months, and people with certain medical conditions. Some states fund it more widely.
- Protection varies year to year, roughly 40–60%, and it also makes illness milder.
- You can’t catch flu from the vaccine. A sore arm and feeling a bit flat for a day are common.
Common questions
How is the flu different from a cold?
Flu starts suddenly with fever, aches and exhaustion, and often knocks you out for days. A cold comes on gradually, is mainly a runny nose and sore throat, and you can usually keep going.
Who gets a free flu vaccine in Australia?
Children 6 months to under 5, people 65 and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months, and people with certain medical conditions. Some states fund it for more people.
Should I take Tamiflu?
It’s mainly for people at higher risk or who are very unwell, started within 48 hours. On average it shortens symptoms by about a day.
Helpful resources
- healthdirect 1800 022 22224/7 nurse advice. Free.
Evidence and more information
maladywise.com/influenza/