Influenza

What is the flu?

Influenza (or the flu) is a serious illness. Often, people who are sick with a cold or have flu-like symptoms might say they have the flu even without testing to confirm it.

The flu is much more than just a bad cold. It can affect your breathing and even lead to pneumonia. Most people can recover in one or two weeks with rest and over-the-counter pain relief or medication.

The flu is caused by viruses that infect your nose, throat, and lungs. It spreads through coughs, sneezes, and by touching contaminated surfaces. You can spread the flu before you even feel sick and up to a week after becoming sick.

Who is most at risk?

Anyone can get the flu, but some people are more at risk of severe illness. 

• Infants
• People over 65 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Pregnant women
• People with long-term health problems
• People with weakened immune systems
• People who are obese
• People who smoke tobacco products.

Symptoms

Flu symptoms often start suddenly. If you already have a lung disease, please see a doctor quickly. Flu symptoms can include:

• Sore throat
• Fever and chills
• Headache, muscle aches and joint pain
• Dry, chesty cough
• Runny or congested nose
• Tiredness
• Sneezing
• Feeling sick, vomiting or diarrhea.

Most people get better in one or two weeks, but some, especially older people, can feel weak for longer.

It takes 1-3 days for flu symptoms to appear. Common symptoms include a sore throat, dry cough, and feeling sick. More severe cases may cause fever, chills, muscle aches and loss of appetite. Most people feel better within a week, but tiredness can last for days or weeks. Breathlessness can occur if you develop pneumonia.

Prevention

The best way to protect yourself is to:

• Get the flu vaccine every year
• Wash your hands often
• Stay home if you’re sick.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your doctor can often tell if you have the flu based on your symptoms. They might take samples from your nose or throat and send these to a lab for testing. 

Rest helps with aches and pains. Paracetamol or aspirin can help lower a fever. However, don’t give aspirin to children or teenagers with the flu. It can cause a serious condition called Reye’s Syndrome, affecting the nervous system and liver. 

Some medications, such as Relenza and Tamiflu, can help if taken within 48 hours of symptoms starting. These don’t work for common colds and aren’t recommended for children under 12 years. People with a lung disease may need antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infections that can make the flu worse.

The flu can be very serious or even fatal for people with existing health problems. It can lead to other infections like pneumonia and sinus or ear infections. It can also make conditions like diabetes, bronchitis or heart failure worse.

Common questions about flu vaccines

Why do I need the flu vaccine each year?

The flu virus often changes, so the vaccine is updated each year to fight the latest strains.

When should I get the flu vaccine?

The peak flu season is usually between June and September in most parts of Australia. For the best protection, an annual flu vaccination is recommended from mid-April onwards. However, you can get vaccinated as soon as flu vaccine stocks become available. Some people, such as travellers or pregnant women, might even need a booster dose. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.

What type of flu vaccine should I get?

Your doctor, pharmacist, clinic nurse or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner can tell you which is best for you.

Is the flu vaccine free?

The Australian government provides free flu vaccines for:

• Children under 5
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Pregnant women
• People over 65
• People with certain health conditions, including lung diseases like bronchiectasis and COPD.

In Queensland in 2025: free flu vaccines are provided from March to September for all residents aged over 6 months.

In Western Australia in 2025: free flu vaccines are provided in May and June for all residents aged over 6 months.

You can still pay to have one if you don’t qualify for a free vaccine.

Will I get sick from the flu vaccine?

You can’t get the flu from the flu vaccine. Most people have no side effects. Some may have a sore arm, slight fever, or chills for a day or two. People with egg allergies should talk to their doctor before getting the vaccine.

Where can I get vaccinated?

• Your doctor’s clinic
• Council clinics (in some areas)
• Community health centres
• Aboriginal health services
• Many pharmacies.

Check vaccine availability, booking options and any costs with your chosen provider.