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A Flu Outbreak is on its Way

General practitioner Peter Hopkins from King Street General Practice said influenza could lead people, especially the elderly, to hospitalisation and severe health problems.

He said the peak time for the influenza was not winter but in late July, August and September.

"Often people associate the flu with winter but it actually has a stronger presence in the later months.

"Vaccination only takes one week to 10 days to work but the virus can spread much quicker and that is why we are urging the community to get their vaccination now."

Dr Hopkins said there was a difference between a standard head-cold and influenza.

"A head cold is largely nasal but influenza is associated with severe muscular pain and a fever."

Aviant, a type of influenza, is currently the biggest concern for medical practitioners and is more commonly known as Bird Flu.

Dr Hopkins said Aviant, a type of influenza, more commonly known as Bird Flu, was a major concern for the medical industry – if human to human transmission occurred there would be major shut downs of public spaces to stop the disease spreading.

He said NSW's general practitioners were forwarded weekly emails from the State Health Department to ensure doctors were aware of any major influenza outbreaks.

The Influenza Specialist Group, based in Sydney, recently warned that influenza would hit Australian shores, following outbreaks in New Zealand.

Convener Alan Hampson said vaccination was the best means of protection against the disease.

"It is not too late to get vaccinated against the influenza strain.

"Furthermore, greater use of antiviral medications for people, who do fall ill with influenza, can minimise both complications and the spread of the disease in the community."

He said the elderly should take advantage of the government's free flu vaccination policy.

Ministers for Health John Hatzistergos said every year more than 1600 older Australians died from influenza and related conditions, and most cases were preventable.

The groups considered at high risk of developing complications to influenza are all people aged 65 years and over, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over and those aged 15 to 49 years who have underlying chronic illnesses.

Source:http://newcastle.yourguide.com.au