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Australian Prescriber Vol. 25 No. 1 2002
Influenza (flu) immunisation
What most people call flu, is usually not influenza, but a severe common cold. This will not be prevented by immunisation.
The illness caused by the influenza virus is usually much worse than the common cold, but it can be difficult to tell the difference. Influenza symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, dry cough and sore throat. The patient may feel very weak.
While most healthy people can fight the virus, it can be fatal particularly in elderly people. The complications of influenza include chest infections such as pneumonia.
Treatments for influenza are not very effective. It is better if people at risk of complications do not catch the disease. Immunisation can help reduce infection but will not prevent everyone from getting the flu. Free vaccine is provided to people aged 65 or over and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are aged 50 or over, or are suffering from a chronic illness.
The commonest side effect of the vaccine is a sore arm where it is injected. Some people develop a fever, but serious side effects are rare.
