Flu/Influenza
Flu/Influenza can be anywhere. Find information about symptoms, treatment, prevention.
On this page
Flu/influenza can be anywhere
Around one in four New Zealanders are infected with influenza each year. Many people won't feel sick, 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 might catch it.
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. It 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 kills about 500 New Zealanders a 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, but the symptoms 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'.
Signs and symptoms of influenza can include:
- fever (a temperature of 38°C or higher)
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhoea.
It may take up to three days to feel symptoms after you catch influenza.
The worst symptoms usually last about five days, but coughing can last up to two to three weeks.
High risk groups
People at higher risk of developing complications if they get influenza include:
- pregnant women and women who have just given birth
- people with an ongoing health condition (like asthma, diabetes, cancer, a heart or lung condition, and conditions that affect the nervous or immune systems)
- significantly overweight people
- people aged 65 years or over
- very young children, especially infants (under 1 year).
If you are at higher risk, it is important to seek advice early from your doctor or Healthline (ph 0800 611 116), to see if you need treatment.
Danger signs
Seek urgent medical advice if you have:
- a high fever that doesn't come down, especially if you are pregnant
- chills or severe shaking
- difficulty breathing or chest pain
- purple or bluish discolouration of your lips, skin, fingers or toes
- seizures or convulsions.
Look out for signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, and not passing urine regularly.
If a person you are caring for is less responsive than normal, unusually quiet, or confused, you should call a doctor urgently.
It is also important to let your doctor know if you were starting to feel better, then get worse.
Danger signs for babies and young children
Call a doctor if your baby or child's breathing is fast or noisy or if they are wheezing or grunting. Check if the area below the ribs sucks inward (instead of expanding as normal) as they breathe in.
You should get help if your baby or child is:
- very pale
- drowsy or difficult to wake
- severely irritable, not wanting to be held
- limp or unable to move.
If a baby has dry nappies or no tears when they are crying, it means they are dehydrated. It is important to contact a doctor.
If you have any worries about yourself or someone you are caring for, call Healthline 0800 611 116 for advice or see a doctor.
Call Healthline 0800 611 116 or your doctor if you are concerned or if you:
- feel a lot worse, or you are not getting better after a few days
- have an existing health condition or are in a high risk group (see Flu symptoms)
- are pregnant
- are taking any medication that affects the immune system
- are looking after someone with influenza and you are in a high risk group
Your doctor may recommend antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu or Relenza. These medications are most effective when started within the first two days of influenza symptoms, although it is still worth talking to your doctor even if you have been unwell for more than two days. Take them as directed.
Caring for yourself and others
If you are unwell, stay at home and rest in a separate, well ventilated room away from other people.
It is important to drink small amounts of fluids often.
Carefully read and follow the labels on any medication and contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions
You can also:
- reduce fever by using a damp cloth on your forehead, washing the arms and body with a cool cloth, bathing in slightly warm water
- take appropriate medicines to relieve discomfort and fever if necessary. It is especially important to reduce fever if you are pregnant.
- gargle a glass of warm water and/or suck sugarless hard sweets or lozenges to help with sore throats
- shower or bathe regularly and keep bedding and nightwear clean and dry
- use skin balm or moisturiser to stop your lips from cracking.
Know the danger signs that mean you should seek urgent medical attention (see Symptoms).
Any child younger than 3 months who has a fever should see a doctor.
Caring for babies and children
When a baby or child has influenza, it is important to do the following:
- keep the child at home resting until they are well.
- care for the child in a separate, well-ventilated room away from other people.
- increase the frequency of breastfeeding or the amount of other fluids they drink. If your child will not take fluids or is drowsy, don't force them. Seek medical advice immediately.
- reduce fever by using a damp cloth on your forehead, washing the arms and body with a cool cloth, bathing in slightly warm water.
- give paracetamol or ibuprofen if they have pain or discomfort in the dose recommended on the package (unless your doctor says otherwise). Aspirin should not be given to children under 14 years of age.
Saltwater drops (saline) can be used to treat a stuffy nose.
Immunisation
Immunisation is your best defence against influenza.
You can get the vaccine or 'flu jab' at your general practice for a small cost. If you are over 65 or in a high risk group, it will be free.
Children under the age of five with significant respiratory illnesses will be able to get the influenza vaccine free from 1 April.
Visit pharmac.health.nz for more information on who can get the vaccine free.
The vaccine is usually available from late February/early March until the end of July.
The 2014 seasonal influenza vaccine offers protection against three strains of influenza:
- A/California/7/2009(H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- A/Victoria/361/2011(H3N2)-like virus
- B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.
For more information- call 0800 466 863 (0800 IMMUNE) or visit fightflu.co.nz.
Immunisation if you're pregnant
Pregnant women are strongly advised to be immunised as pregnancy places a woman at greater risk of complications from influenza.
Mothers who receive the influenza vaccine while pregnant can pass protection on to their baby. The vaccine offers protection to infants who would normally be too young (under six months) to receive immunisation individually.
Stop the spread of the flu
If you are unwell, stay at home until you are better.
Follow basic hygiene practices:
- Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds and dry them for 20 seconds - or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Don't share drinks.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze - then put the tissue in a lined bin.
Being prepared for a pandemic
Have a plan and be prepared in case you need to stay at home during a pandemic.
Keep at least a week's supply of food, tissues, and your usual medicines so you don't need to make trips out in public.
Make sure you have contact details for friends/family/neighbours so you can call them if you need help.
Think about:
- working from home
- who could look after your extended family if they don't live nearby (eg, who could deliver groceries or meals to sick family members)
- organising child care if your children need to stay home and you must go to work.
If you have an existing medical condition:
- make sure you don't run out of regular medications
- make sure you take medications for any condition to keep them under good control.