Influenza, or flu, is an epidemic disease that causes widespread illness every year.
Influenza immunisation is recommended for people in known high risk groups including people over 65, hospital patients and staff, some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women, residents in nursing homes or other care facilities, severe asthmatics and anyone with a chronic illness. Serious side effects or allergic reactions to the vaccine are rare.
The ‘Flu’ is caused by a highly contagious virus that is spread by coughs and sneezes. Every year it causes widespread illness in the community (epidemics and pandemics).
Taking the ‘it will never happen to me’ attitude is a bit like thinking Denial is just a river in Egypt. Sometimes you have to be proactive and plan ahead to stay healthy and enjoy, rather than just survive, the flu season.
