We’re constantly reminded that this has been one of the worst flu seasons in Australian history, particularly for New South Wales and Victoria. Yet, no matter how many times we hear the numbers of people diagnosed with the flu, and warned how vigilant we need to be, it seems we’re still not getting it (but we are getting sick).
Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy has spoken today urging people not to dismiss flu symptoms as “simply a cold” or “man flu”. This warning has come after it was tragically confirmed by The Victorian Health Department, that an eight-year-old girl has died from the flu. The girl has not been publicly identified.
Health authorities said the girl died in the Angliss Hospital at Upper Ferntree Gully in Melbourne’s east on Friday.
“This is an influenza strain that is able to impact the young, the elderly, the well and the unwell,” Ms Hennessy told 3AW radio, of the devastating flu season.
This particularly deadly strain of flu has killed 94 people in Victorian age-care facilities so far this year and more than 160,000 people have contracted the flu in Australia this year. This figure is made even more frightening when compared to Health Department figures show that 75,818 cases of the flu were recorded for the same time last year.
“It’s not too late to get vaccinated,” stressed Ms Hennessy.
“Get to the doctor, call Nurse on Call, call an ambulance if you feel someone is very unwell. But don’t ignore the flu symptoms.”
“It needs to be taken seriously.”
Flu signs and symptoms
According to SA Health, these are the signs and symptoms you might experience if you have contracted the flu:
rapid onset of fever
headache
muscle aches
fatigue
sneezing
running nose
sore throat
a cough
If you think you have the flu, or want more information on the flu and flu vaccinations, contact your trusted GP.
