Flu Season in Australia, and What Causes Flu?
When is Flu Season?
Are you perturbed by the tickle in your throat, a throbbing headache and a cough that won't seem to let up? If this sounds like something you are experiencing, you may be the latest victim of the flu season. The dreaded cold and flu season is upon Australia and to better prepare and protect yourselves, it is best to have reliable information on what to look out for and how to prevent yourself from catching flu this season. Flu is typically more prevalent during colder months of the year as people are more often inside, allowing for the virus to spread more easily. It has also been found that the cold winter air lowers resistance when it comes to fighting off the flu, meaning more people catch and spread it during these colder times of the year. With this in mind, over these flu season months, it is important to use even stricter hygienic practices!
In Which Months is Flu Most Common?
So when is flu season in Australia? Flu season is typically associated with being more prevalent during the colder months of the year, and in Australia, this typically begins around April and lasts until October. While flu season is more often associated with being prevalent during these months, this does not mean that you will not catch the disease in summer. It does, however, mean that more people will contract the flu during winter, making it easier to spread and more likely that you would come into contact with the virus during this time. Practising good hygiene and being more aware over the winter months will help to ensure that you do not catch this virus over the flu season!
How Long Does the Flu Season Last?
You may be wondering how long the flu season is, and sadly, it typically lasts all through winter. The cold air and close proximity to others in indoor spaces allow for the flu virus to easily spread from one person to another over this cold winter period. Over the flu season, it is important to be aware of the precautions you can take to avoid catching this virus. According to the Australian Government Department of Health, the 2022 flu season has seen a rise in flu cases compared to 2021 and 2020, which is more than likely due to the Coronavirus pandemic, as more precautions were taken to avoid close contact over these two years.
What Is Flu? What Causes Flu?
According to the Australian Government Department of Health, the flu is a virus that infects your throat, nose and often even your lungs. It is highly contagious which is why during winter months it is spread more easily, as people are in closer contact with each other in indoor spaces, making it easier to pick up. There are two types of flu and they are separated into categories known as Influenza A and B, with A being a more serious and life-threatening variation of the virus. Influenza A is transmitted through animals, very often bird species, and can cause outbreaks that can lead to pandemics in certain areas, though this variation is far less common than influenza B. Influenza B is a less life-threatening variation of flu, though it is known to mutate three times more than Influenza A, meaning that in a person’s lifetime, they are more likely to be infected with this type of flu.
What Are Flu Symptoms?
In order to be aware of whether or not you or those around you have contracted the virus, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of flu. Flu symptoms are similar to colds, though there are a few distinctions that can be observed between a common cold and the flu! The following is a look at the most common symptoms to be sure to look out for if you are beginning to feel ill.
Cough
The flu is typically associated with having a dry cough, meaning that there is generally no mucus that is coughed up. With a dry cough, your throat will generally feel quite scratchy and itchy, with a hacking cough that often leads to a sore chest. The difference between a cough that develops with flu compared to a cough that develops with a cold is that a flu cough will usually not present with mucus in your throat.
Sore Throat
With a dry cough, a sore throat often forms as well. Along with a dry and persistent dry cough causing a scratchy and irritated throat, flu can often cause the glands in your throat to swell which can be extremely painful and cause a sore and stiff neck. Typically, you may feel a strange sensation when swallowing food or liquids as a persistent cough often makes the skin in your throat feel raw.
Fatigue
One of the most notable symptoms of flu is fatigue, and you will find yourself feeling exhausted as your body wards off the viral infection. You may find yourself sleeping for hours during the day and are still waking up feeling as if you have had no sleep at all. While you have the flu, it is important to get as much rest as your body needs as this is one of the only ways to fight off this infection!
Runny Nose
While you have the flu, your head may feel sore and your nose may run, this is because of the congestion that occurs when infected with flu. Congestion is caused by swelling of inflamed blood vessels, which builds up the pressure in your head. As the pressure builds up, one of the only ways for your body to relieve it is to push the mucus up and out through your nose, which results in a stuffy, runny and snotty nose.
How Long Does Flu Last?
The length of time that your flu symptoms persist can range from anywhere between three days to over a week. This time frame is often dependent on your health and how much rest you allow yourself. Those who have a lower immune system are more likely to experience a longer time frame when it comes to persistent symptoms, but resting and making sure you keep hydrated will help you get over the flu as quickly as possible! Taking supplements like vitamin C can also help ensure that your body has all it needs to ward off the infection.
How to Protect Yourself From the Flu?
While flu is extremely catchy during the flu season, it is not inevitable that you catch this viral infection. There are things that you can do and precautions you can take to help prevent you from catching the flu this season. The following is a list of a few flu season safety tips to follow to prevent you from contracting flu over this winter period.
Avoid Close Contact with Other People
One of the main reasons why flu season occurs during winter is because people are often in closer proximity to one another in indoor spaces. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets of their saliva can land on your body. If these droplets land on your hands or in your mouth, you may be at risk of contracting the flu. This flu season, be sure to avoid close contact with those around you to help better protect yourself!
Make Sure Your Hands are Clean.
Your personal hygiene habits may influence whether or not you catch the flu virus as one of the most common ways to get flu is by touching objects or surfaces that have been touched by a sick person. When you rub your hands along your mouth, you then transfer these germs and inhale them into your body which leads to infection. To avoid this from happening, you should be sure to clean your hands with sanitisers frequently throughout the day, particularly if you have been in contact with high-touch surfaces. During the flu season, in particular, be sure to carry around a bottle of hand sanitiser that you can use throughout the day.
One of the reasons to use Surface Guard Disinfectant Spray over other disinfectants and multipurpose cleaning products is that It kills Influenza A and Influenza B , and also protects against these viruses for up to 30 days. . Along with Surface Guard hospital-grade surface disinfectant spray , surface disinfectant wipes can remove bacteria, viruses and germs that may be on surfaces, further protecting people from picking up diseases on surfaces. Using both surface disinfectant and keeping surfaces around you clean can ensure that you are fully protected!
Don’t Touch Your Eyes and Mouth
One way to avoid catching the flu this flu season is by being more aware of when you touch your eyes and your mouth. If you are in contact with surfaces that have been exposed to the virus, often through people coughing or sneezing and then touching these surfaces, be sure to sanitise your hands, disinfect surfaces with wipes or sprays and avoid touching your face.
Get Healthy Habits.
During the flu season, you should be sure to maintain a high level of standard when it comes to your personal hygiene. Things like sanitisers and surface disinfectants & cleaning wipes ensure that you do not pick up any germs throughout your day and using these kinds of defences during the flu season can be very helpful.
How to Cure Flu Fast?
The flu is unfortunately a virus and it is therefore incurable with medicine like antibiotics. While you may be after a quick fix that will get you back up on your feet as soon as possible, one of the only ways to do this is with rest! Along with giving your body the rest that it needs, ensuring that you are drinking lots of fluids and taking supplements like multivitamins and vitamin C can help you kick the flu as quickly as possible.
