Why do we get influenza

In some cases of the flu, severe illness, and complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis can develop. This can result in hospitalisation and even death.

Getting a flu shot every year is recommended for all people from 6 months. Many people in the above groups are eligible for free flu vaccination each year in autumn under the National Immunisation Program.

Anyone in these at-risk groups with flu-like symptoms should see their doctor as soon as possible. The original recommended timing between receipt of the 2 vaccines was a preferred minimum interval of 2 weeks 14 days. Based on the latest medical advice the preferred minimum interval between vaccinations for COVID and the flu is now 7 days. Their immune system will fight the infection and symptoms will usually clear up on their own.

If you think you have the flu, try to rest, maintain a good fluid intake, and manage your symptoms. This will help you recover and prevent dehydration. See your doctor if you have any concerns. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:.

If you feel a cough or sneeze is coming on, make sure to cough or sneeze into your elbow. Antiviral medications, if started in the first 2 days after symptoms start, can shorten the length of your illness.

These need to be prescribed by your doctor. Decongestants and simple pain relievers can help you feel better while your body's immune system fights off the infection. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Around 75 per cent of Melbourne's air pollution is caused by vehicle emissions. Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis.

Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs.

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Then it disappears as quickly as it arrived. The reason for this is not completely clear. The usual pattern is for a rise in the incidence of flu in children, which precedes an increase in the adult population. Presumably children are infected at school or kindergarten, bring the virus home and infect their siblings and parents. The parents then pass on the flu to their friends and fellow workers, with a second generational leap upwards to the elderly.

Nursing home epidemics are common, and that is where most of the serious complications and deaths due to flu occur. Image: Health Care Financing Administration This vertical transmission model is a reasonable description of events but begs some questions and leaves others unanswered.

It does not explain how the virus entered the pool of school-age children in the first place. Of course, children will be more susceptible to infection as they will have, as a group, a low level of immunity to flu from not having encountered it previously.

The virus will therefore be able to spread readily. If there is a low level of flu in the community, a school would be a logical site for an explosion of the viral population. If the strain of flu is one that has not circulated for many years, there may be a large enough population of susceptible adults to sustain the epidemic.

Another problem with the vertical upwards transmission model is that it does not explain how flu can break out simultaneously in areas that are far from one another geographically, when there is no apparent possibility of transmission between the sites. One theory is that the virus may be present in a latent form in asymptomatic carriers, who reactivate virus one wonders why and infect susceptible contacts.

But the frequency of human contact across the world and the highly infectious nature of the virus make this explanation difficult to accept. Moreover, there is no evidence of persistent or latent infection with influenza viruses. In any case, this idea is not really very different from the notion that the virus circulates at a low level throughout the year and seizes its opportunity to cause an outbreak when conditions allow. Even harder to explain is why the flu disappears from a community when there are still a large number of people susceptible to infection.

The answer as to why flu is a winter disease is not fully known. However, flu is spread largely by droplet aerosol infection from individuals with a high viral level in their nasal and throat secretions, sneezing and coughing on anyone close at hand. Flu vaccination is especially important this season because the flu and coronavirus disease COVID cause similar symptoms. Preventing the flu and reducing the severity of flu illness and hospitalizations could also lessen the number of people needing to stay in the hospital.

This year's seasonal flu vaccine provides protection from the four influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during the year's flu season. This year, the vaccine will be available as an injection and as a nasal spray. Avoid crowds. The flu spreads easily wherever people gather — in child care centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums and public transportation.

By avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection. Also avoid anyone who is sick. And if you're sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone so that you lessen your chance of infecting others. Your local health department and the CDC may suggest other precautions to reduce your risk of COVID or the flu if you haven't been fully vaccinated. For example, you may need to practice social distancing physical distancing and stay at least 6 feet 2 meters from others outside your household.

You may also need to wear a cloth face mask when indoors with people outside your household and when outdoors in crowded areas. If you're fully vaccinated and are in an area with a high number of new COVID cases in the last week, the CDC also recommends wearing a mask indoors in public and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with unvaccinated people. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. More Information Flu: When to see a doctor? Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Flu shots Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body? High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines?

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N. Accessed July 13, Zachary KC. Treatment of seasonal influenza in adults.