It’s that time of year again...Flu Season; should you get vaccinated?

Many of us this winter will get a cold or a cough (but not the flu) and while we might feel very ordinary for a while we will recover with a bit of rest. We will probably tell the boss, family and friends we have “the flu” and because we sound so terrible on the phone this will be accepted as fact. The flu however is far more serious and if you get it, it will make the average cold or cough seem like a sniffle.

For most healthy adults Influenza is not a major concern, because they typically recover within a week. However for the elderly, those aged 65 and over, and those with certain chronic illnesses like heart or lung disease, a bout of influenza can lead to other serious complications. These can include pneumonia or heart failure, which can be fatal. The National Health and Medical Research Council highlight that Over 2,500 Australians die each year from complications caused by influenza.

If you are in the risk category and have not yet arranged for your influenza vaccination now is the time to act. The longer you leave it the greater the chance of being exposed and potentially contracting influenza this Flu season. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure or have some concerns.