INFLUENZA A IS ON THE RISE
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Absolutely YES. Your flu vaccine is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of Influenza and serious complications. It’s not toolate to get protected. This is especially important if your older or pregnantor have underlying health conditions or if you care for someone who is more vulnerable.
Vaccination can help protect you and your whanau.
Influenza can come on suddenly. You can feel un well for a week or more and cough or fatigue can persist for several weeks. Flu spreads easily from person to person and is highly contagious. Staying home and limiting close contact while you’re sick helps reduce transmission.
Fever, chills, headache, muscle and body aches, marked tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose. Some people, particularlychildren, can also experience vomiting or diarrhoea.
Stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids. Paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever, headaches and muscle aches. If you need to attend yourlocal clinic, call ahead before coming in.
Seek medical help if you’re becoming increasingly unwell, you’re struggling to drink enough fluids or you’re concerned about yourbreathing. Older people, pregnant people young children and people with significant underlying conditions should seek advice earlier as they areat greater risk of complications.
➤ For non-urgent symptoms, contact your local GP/clinic or use Tend’s Online Now service for an online consultation.
➤ For urgent but not life-threatening problems contact Te Puia Hospital or Health New Zealand’s online GP service.
➤ For general health advice. Healthline is available for free on 0800 611 116.
For a life-threatening emergency, call 111
It is important to get the right level of care.Calling ahead when you have respiratory symptoms helps healthcare teams protectvulnerable patients while continuing to care for everyone who needs us.
