FAQ:

Questions and Answers about the H1N1 flu.

Welcome to the Sydney Flu Clinic based in Bondi Junction.

The information on this page for general information ONLY. You are urged to seek professional medical advise for any situation where you are concerned about your health or the health of friends or family.

Our address is 32 Spring Street, Bondi Junction, NSW, 2022

You can ring and book an appointment with one of our doctors on 9388 0344 to discuss if you should have a flu vaccination. We run flu vaccination clinics all week.

Our contact details are
Phone: 02 9388 0344

FAQ about Protecting my family against Influenza.

I have the flu! What can I do?

If you are sitting at home with the flu and feeling rotten why not see a doctor, get some medication and have a flu vaccination so that you never get the same flu again?

Can I get the flu a second time?

Many people have already suffered from the swine flu. Some people say that they seem to be undergoing a second wave of the disease. Although your body does build an immunity to a disease it is possible to get the flu a second time. You may even get the flu twice in one season.

If I have the flu, what should I do?

If you have flu symptoms please call 9388 0344 to make an appointment with a medical practitioner. General Practitioners are the best people to see when suffering from the flu. There is no reason to stay at home feeling awful. We can give you symptomatic treatment to reduce your discomfort.

How do I know that I have the flu?

If you have the symptoms of flu you need to take positive steps to ensure that you do not spread the disease to family and friends. If you have the symptoms it is most likely you have the disease.

Has a flu vaccine been invented?

The flu vaccine has been developed and each year there is a different serotype manufactured. This is because viruses undergo change and therefore the vaccine must change in parallel with the disiease.

Where can I find information on the flu?

The Australian Government's Health Emergency website keeps you informed with important information about pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza outbreaks in Australia, and what you can do to protect yourself and others.

The flu, as many people refer to it, is Influenza, a form of viral infection. Antibiotics do not kill viruses but some GPs will prescribe antibiotics to fight an underlying condition or bacterial infection.

Can you die from the flu?

Unfortunately, the flu pandemic as we know it in Australia has accounted for dozens of deaths in 2009. Many of the victims had underlying conditions and were already compromised by poor health. This number is expected to rise dramatically if the virus mutates into a more deadly strain.

What does it mean if the flu is pandemic?

An influenza pandemic is an epidemic of an influenza virus that spreads on a worldwide scale infecting a large proportion of people. In contrast to the seasonal epidemics of influenza, these pandemics occur irregularly The pandemic flu means that the flu is widespread, usually across an entire planet.

In few short weeks, the 2009 swine flu (h1n1) virus went from being a local headache in mexico to a global nightmare around the world.

What type is the latest flu

The latest flu or the most recent flu that most people seem to be suffering from is the Swine Flu or H1N1. Previously the flu that people were talking about in the media was the bird or avian flu. Every year there are new and different strains of the flu that we may catch or contract.

Flu Symtoms

We have already discussed the flu symtoms, or symptoms if spelled correctly but the main aim of this web site is to give people the next step in getting treatment for the disease. The best advice is take steps quickly and get better quickly.

Recovery will take time but commence treatment rapidly.

Spanish Flu

The 1918 flu pandemic (commonly referred to as the Spanish Flu) was an influenza pandemic that spread to nearly every part of the world. It was caused by a virulent and deadly influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1.

2009 flu pandemic

For the H1N1/09 virus strain responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic, see Pandemic H1N1/09 virus. For the current Influenza pandemic of A(H1N1), flu a, see 2009 flu pandemic. For the 1918 pandemic of Influenza A(H1N1), see 1918 flu pandemic.

For information on ways to decrease your chances of contracting H1N1, see influenza prevention.

Are deaths preventable?

Flu deaths are preventable if you have a vaccination.

Should I get a flu vaccination?

The short answer is yes, unless you are a child (includes babies) under 10 years of age, a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy, or HIV positive and a CD4 count less than 200

What about the incubation period? What does it mean?

Flu has a short incubation period. This means the gap between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms is two or three days. You become infectious about a day before you begin to feel unwell, and the symptoms usually last for 3 to 7 days.

Sufferers often continue to experience tiredness, and depression, for up to 3 weeks.

Infection is confined to the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs and airways) it produces generalised symptoms throughout the body as the immune system fights the virus.

Many people complain of chills and a high fever (pyrexiea), muscle aches or pains, feeling very tired (lethargy), headaches, a runny nose (coryza), sore throat (difficulty in swallowing) and a productive or dry cough.

Kids can also suffer abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea,

Is it really the flu that I have?

A number of other infections can produce flu-like symptoms.

Could I have Bacterial pneumonia?.

This disease is more common in people with pre-existing chest problems such as asthma or emphysema.

Could I have 'Strep throat' and the flu?.

A streptococcal bacterial infection of the throat usually produces a very sore throat, a high temperature, and often pus that is visible on the tonsils. But there is usually no nasal congestion (blocked nose)

Can Meningitis kill me?.

It is important to be vigilant regarding the signs and symptoms of meningitis, which can commence with flu-like symptoms.

These include headache, neck stiffness, photophobia (dislike of bright lights), nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, fever and a rash.

If you think you have meningitis, always see your Doctor immediately.

Diagnosis

In most cases, the diagnosis of flu can be made on the basis of the symptoms but sometimes it is useful to confirm the diagnosis by using laboratory tests. This will involve a throat or nose swab.

Flu Complications

Most flu resolves without any significant consequences. Some groups are at much greater risk of complications. These include people who are:

• Over 65. With increasing age the immune system becomes less effective at responding quickly to infections.
• Very young. Infants’ immune systems have not yet learned to recognise, and fight the virus.
• Suffering with chronic diseases. These include heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and asthma.
• Pregnant. Pregnancy temporarily reduces the effectiveness of the immune system so the illness may last up to three times longer than usual. In Australia, vaccination against influenza is recommended for women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during influenza season.
• Complications of flu infection can include:
  • Asthma. Requiring more frequent use of inhalers. See your doctor.
  • Croup, or laryngo-tracheo-bronchitis. characterised by a 'barking' cough, occurs in children and can be triggered by the flu.
  • Febrile convulsions, children between the ages of six months and five years can occasionally have brief fits, or seizures. This is not the same as epilepsy
  • Secondary bacterial infections in the lungs (pneumonia), the middle ear (otitis media, and sinuses (sinusitis). Damage to the airways by the flu virus can enable bacteria to multiply. A relapse of symptoms in the affected area such as ear ache, sinus pain or cough is common.

Bacterial 'superinfections' usually require a course of antibiotics.

Viral pneumonia occurs when the virus damages the lungs. Viral pneumonia is less common than bacterial but is extremely serious. The patient usually needs to be put on a ventilator, and the condition can be fatal.

Reye's Syndrome occurs in children up to age 15 and is caused by infections with influenza B viruses or the virus that causes chickenpox. It leads to swelling of the brain.

Aspirin-containing remedies should not be given to children under 15.

Inflammation of muscles (myositis), occasionally including the heart (myocarditis) can sometimes follow infection with flu, with muscles becoming tender, most noticeably in the legs, and if the heart is involved there may be palpitations, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and rapid pulse.

Rest completely until the flu symptoms resolve.

What is the best treatment for the flu?

1. Bed rest,
2. regular fluids,
3. paracetamol.
4. get vaccinated now that the vaccine is available

You need to see a doctor if you have a persistent and prolonged high fever (39 degrees celcius or above), rapid breathing, shortness of breath, dehydration, drowsiness and confusion, chest pain, fainting, or seizures. Play it safe, see your doctor.

What drugs are available for the flu?

Most countries (Oct 2009) have now released a specialised vaccine specifically for this outbreak of swine flu (H1N1).

Within the next 12 months this vaccine version will be incorporated in the general vaccine given against swine flu each year.

Previously available was...

Zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu), are active against both influenza A and influenza B. These drugs can both protect against the flu (including avian and swine flu), as well as treat the flu if started within two days of infection. See your doctor for advice and a prescription.

Is there Prevention for the flu?

The flu vaccine contains three killed viruses and protects us against both flu A and flu B infections. Protective antibodies against influenza form in the blood approximately two weeks after vaccination.

Because the flu virus changes continually, two separate vaccines are produced each year, six months apart, for the flu seasons in the Southern and Northern hemispheres.

Who should not be vaccinated?

Babies under six months of age, women in the first trimester of pregnancy, and patients with HIV and a CD4 count less than 200 should not be vaccinated. For most other people vaccination provides up to 90 per cent protection against the flu and lasts up to 12 months.

Vaccine side effects

Individuals with an allergy to eggs should seek medical advice before immunisation, mild flu-like symptoms may occur for a day or so.

Other prevention measures

You can also lower your risk of catching flu by not smoking, staying away from people who have the flu, washing your hands often and maintaining a healthy lifestyle – eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.