"Peak of the flu season is imminent, so take the necessary precautions now!"

The Influenza Specialist Group has just issued a press release, warning that increasing rates of influenza have been confirmed in several regions around Australia, and that the continuing trend indicates that the peak flu season is rapidly approaching. However, there is still time for people, especially those in at-risk groups and those around them, to protect themselves by vaccination.

The ISG recommends that people in at-risk groups and healthy Australians who wish to avoid infection, see their GP and seek vaccination now in order to protect themselves and avoid passing the infection on to others.  And while vaccination is the most effective way to prevent catching influenza, if you do contract influenza there are antiviral medications available on prescription that can shorten the length and reduce the severity of the illness.  However these must be taken within the first two days of onset of symptoms.

The full press release can be found here: Flu Alert 2011

A fact sheet can be found here: Fact Sheet