Horror flu season may be imminent
JUST as Geelong appears to have recovered from a horror 2017 flu season, experts are warning the next peak influenza season is just around the corner.
More than 2600 Barwon residents came down with the flu last year compared to just 831 in 2016, according to the Health Department’s infectious diseases data.
Up to July 14 this year, there were just 134 recorded cases of influenza, well below the 221 confirmed in the same period last year — at the beginning of the region’s outbreak.
Now, health experts are reminding Victorians it’s never too late to get a flu shot, as the peak of flu season is set to hit the state.
About 7.5 million Australians — 2.1 million of those from Victoria — have suffered from cold and flu in the last month.
And that figure is expected to sharply rise between July and August, according to a new health report.
The research commissioned by cold and flu brand Codral also found people are taking on average up to a week to recover from the virus, which leading health experts say is far too long.
“It should really only take four or five days to recover,” celebrity doctor Andrew Rochford said.
“People need to make sure they don’t go into complete hibernation when they’re sick.
“Stay home within reason, but make sure you’re staying active and maintaining energy.”
A combination of cold weather and extended time spent indoors means people are most likely to get sick in the next month.
“Viruses tend to live longer in cold, dry air … and our immune system doesn’t work as well in the colder temperature.”
Dr Rochford, who is cohosting a TV quiz show, said while the start of the flu season has not been as bad as previous years, the worst may be yet to come.
He said it was not too late to protect against the virus and urged people to consider the flu vaccination.
“I’d still be recommending flu shots … it’s one of the best ways to prevent against influenza.
“There’s still plenty of time to get the flu, so it’s not too late to get (the vaccine).”
For those who don’t get the jab, prevention is as simple as washing your hands regularly, Dr Rochford said.
Last year’s horror flu season saw the death toll reach more than 200, with a fourfold increase in the number of confirmed cases. In 2017 there were about 40,000 cases.