Photography Getty Images *healthdirect.gov.au ˆhealth.gov.au †Tracking Flu Outbreaks to Improve Public Health, newcastle.edu.au, April 2021 ‡health.gov.au
FAST FIXES
5 STEPS
TO KEEP COLDS
AND FLU AT BAY
THE PANDEMIC HAS DOMINATED OUR ATTENTION
OVER THE PAST YEAR, BUT UNDERSTANDING
MORE COMMON COLD AND FLU VIRUSES IS JUST AS
IMPORTANT. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
1. SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Colds and flu are both caused
by viruses, and while many of
their symptoms are similar, there
are some important differences.
With a cold, you’re more likely
to experience sneezing, have
a sore throat and develop a
cough, but are less likely to
have a headache or fever.
If it’s flu, your symptoms will
likely include aches, pains and
fever, and you can feel weak
and extremely fatigued – possibly
even for a couple of weeks.
Colds are more common than
flu, but flu is more severe and
highly contagious. Many cold
and flu symptoms are also similar
to COVID-19 symptoms, so if you
experience any of them – even
in a mild form – the Australian
government’s Health Direct
website* recommends having
a COVID-19 test immediately.
2. HYGIENE COMES FIRST
The pandemic has taught us the
importance of hygiene for slowing
the spread of a virus – and that’s
one lesson we should all remember.
Wash your hands regularly for
20 seconds, using soap and waterˆ,
and use hand sanitiser in-between.
Always sneeze and cough into your
elbow or a tissue, and don’t share
cups, cutlery or towels with others.
3. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
For the past 15 years, University
of Newcastle researchers have been
tracking cold and flu outbreaks
across Australia. They found that
instances of those illnesses were
at an all-time low in April 2020,
indicating that the social-distancing
measures put in place to combat
coronavirus also reduced the
chance of catching a cold or flu†.
The official rules around gatherings
in public and at home are likely
to keep changing in response
to COVID-19. But you can follow
simple social-distancing guidelines
any time, like avoiding crowded
spaces and public transport in
busy periods. And if you do
catch a cold or flu, stay home
until you recover to reduce the
chance of passing it on.
4. GET THE JAB
Although it’s possible to get
flu at any time of the year,
it’s more common in winter.
The government’s Department
of Health recommends having
the flu vaccination each autumn,
to help strengthen your immunity
before ‘flu season’ arrives‡.
The vaccination changes each
year, to account for changes
in the flu virus, so it’s vital to
have it annually.
The current recommendation
is for everyone over the age
of six months to have the flu
vaccination, but especially the
elderly and people with chronic
illnesses. And, of course, talk
to your GP to find out more.
5. REST AND RECUPERATE
If you catch a cold or flu, first take
a COVID-19 test, then stay home
and rest, even if your test comes
back negative. Try to eat healthily
and drink plenty of water. Drinking
warm liquid – like soup, tea or
even just warm water – can
soothe a sore throat.
Coles Health & Beauty
CHB1121p059 59
59
5/25/2021 11:19:50 AM