Influenza: Everything You Need to Know This Flu Season

In 2023, there have already been over 40,000 influenza infections - with more than 8,000 of these cases being diagnosed in a single fortnight (DoHaAC 2023).

So, how can you best protect yourself this flu season?

What is Influenza?

Influenza (known colloquially as ‘the flu’) is a highly contagious, viral respiratory infection (Mayo Clinic 2022).

Influenza infection in humans is most commonly caused by either type A or type B influenza viruses, and there are many sub-types and strains within each of these categories (NSW Health 2023).

Due to being highly transmissible, influenza often causes seasonal, widespread illness. In Australia, flu season typically lasts from April until September (Better Health Channel 2023).

On average, there are approximately 5,100 hospitalisations and 100 deaths caused by influenza every year in Australia (AIH 2023).

The symptoms of influenza can range from mild to serious illness with potentially life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, and can even result in death - even in people who are otherwise healthy (Better Health Channel 2023; AIH 2023).

Influenza is a vaccine-preventable illness (NSW Health 2023).

What Causes Influenza?

Influenza is spread through the respiratory fluids (from coughs and sneezes) of people who are infected with an influenza virus (Better Health Channel 2023).

It can be transmitted by:

• Breathing in respiratory droplets after an infected person has coughed or sneezed
• Making direct contact with fluid from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes
• Touching a surface that has been contaminated by respiratory fluids containing an influenza virus, then touching the eyes, nose or mouth - thus allowing the virus to enter the body.

(Healthdirect 2022)

People with influenza may be infectious from 24 hours prior to the onset of symptoms until one week after the onset of symptoms (although children and immunocompromised people might be infectious for longer) (Queensland Health 2023).

Why are Influenza Cases Increasing?

In 2020, there were 21,266 notified cases of influenza in Australia and 37 deaths (DoHaAC 2020), and in 2021, just 598 cases and no recorded deaths at all (DoHaAC 2021).

Yet, in 2022, there were 225,000 cases of influenza - almost double the five year average (DoHaAC 2022).

The dramatic reduction in influenza cases during 2020 and 2021 can be largely attributed to the public health measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which indirectly reduced influenza transmission (AIHW 2021). These measures included:

• Face masks
• Stay at home orders
• Handwashing and sanitising
• Closures of schools and workplaces
• Restricted travel
• Physical distancing
• Domestic and international border closures.

(Sonic HealthPlus 2021)

However, most of these restrictions that were put into place have now been rescinded, increasing people’s contact with one another and, consequently, the likelihood of spreading influenza (and COVID-19) within the community.

Symptoms of Influenza

Influenza often has a rapid onset of symptoms, which may include:

• Running nose
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever and chills
• Fatigue and weakness
• Reduced appetite
• Pain behind the eyes
• Headache
• Body aches
• Vomiting and diarrhoea (more commonly in children).

(Better Health Channel 2023; AIH 2023)

The typical timeline of symptoms is:

(Better Health Channel 2023)

Complications of Influenza

In some cases, influenza can cause potentially severe complications, including:

• Pneumonia (primary viral and secondary bacterial pneumonia) - this is one of the most serious complications and can be life-threatening in older adults and people with chronic illness
• Acute bronchitis
• Croup
• Acute otitis media
• Asthma flare-up
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Cardiac issues (e.g. myocarditis or pericarditis)
• Encephalitis and/or encephalopathy
• Reye syndrome
• Haematological abnormalities.

(AIH 2023; Mayo Clinic 2023)

Risk Factors for Influenza

Those identified as being at increased risk of contracting influenza and/or experiencing severe illness from influenza include:

• Older adults aged over 65
• Infants aged between 6 months and 5 years
• Preterm infants aged under 37 weeks of gestation
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
• Those who have never been exposed to an antigenically-related influenza virus
• Those infected with a highly virulent viral strain of influenza
• Those with certain chronic illnesses (e.g. Down syndrome, heart or lung disease, renal failure, diabetes, chronic neurologic conditions)
• Those who are immunocompromised (e.g. due to HIV, being an organ transplant recipient or undergoing immuno-oncology therapy)
• Those with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg per m2)
• Those who are pregnant
• Those who smoke
• Those who are homeless
• Healthcare workers
• Those who are carers or household contacts of people in high-risk groups
• Residents, workers, volunteers and visitors at residential care facilities
• Workers in the commercial poultry and pork industry
• Those proving essential community services
• Travellers
• Children aged between 6 months and 10 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

(AIH 2023)

Diagnosis of Influenza

Influenza can be diagnosed through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test wherein in a swab is taken from the nose and/or mouth (NSW Health 2023).

Treatment for Influenza

Mild cases of influenza will typically resolve on their own without treatment (Healthdirect 2022). Patients should be encouraged to rest, drink adequate fluids, take paracetamol to manage pain and fever, and use decongestant medicines to relieve their symptoms (Better Health Channel 2023).

Prescription antiviral medicines (such as oseltamivir) may be considered in patients who are moderately or severely ill or are at higher risk of serious illness from influenza (Immunisation Coalition 2021).

In more serious cases, patients may require admission to hospital (Better Health Channel 2023).

Influenza Vaccination

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent influenza (Better Health Channel 2023).

While the vaccine can’t guarantee prevention, it does provide a high level of protection against influenza and reduces the risk of severe illness if infection does occur (Better Health Channel 2023).

The Australian Immunisation Handbook (2023) states that all people aged 6 months and over should receive an influenza vaccine every year. This is because:

• The specific influenza virus strains included in the vaccine are different every year, depending on global influenza epidemiology
• Protection from the vaccine typically begins to decrease after three to four months.

(AIH 2023)

Under the National Immunisation Program, certain vulnerable groups are eligible to receive the influenza vaccine for free.

Note: The influenza vaccine can be co-administered with a COVID-19 vaccine (AIH 2023).

When to Escalate Care

The following signs and symptoms in a person with influenza require Immediate medical attention:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe vomiting
• Fever accompanied by a rash
• Seizures
• Worsening of existing medical conditions
• Severe muscle pain or weakness
• Blue lips (in children)
• Dehydration (in children).

(Better Health Channel 2023; Mayo Clinic 2023)

Conclusion

Despite the low rates of influenza in 2020 and 2021, cases are now back to pre-pandemic numbers. The best way to protect against influenza and reduce the risk of serious illness is via immunisation.

Keep up-to-date with the latest influenza surveillance information on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.