Every direction you turn someone is coughing, sneezing or groaning because the Scone and Upper Hunter community are experiencing one of the worst flu seasons in recent times.
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Coughs, colds, flus and viruses have dominated the illness list throughout the winter months with a spike in presentations to both the Scone Medical Practice and Scott Memorial Hospital in Scone.
Despite people’s attempts to protect themselves, their children and families the bugs are out there and they are attacking many.
What is even more distressing is the fact that the strain of flu affecting most is not effectively prevented with the influenza vaccination.
According to Hunter New England Health public health physician Dr David Durrheim the influenza strain causing the most illness in the Hunter and widespread across NSW is the H3N2 influenza A strain, which the vaccine is less effective in preventing.
To date there have been more than 1400 confirmed laboratory cases of influenza in the local health region compared to 141 last year.
Dr Durrheim said the massive increase seen has predominantly involved the H3N2 strain with an increase in people visiting the emergency department with flu like illnesses.
“The rest of Australia is experiencing the usual H1N1 dominant strain, which the vaccine is effective in preventing, however for the influenza A virus the vaccine is less effective,” he said.
Dr Durrheim said the key was that everyone needs to increase their hygiene and ensure they stay away from work, school and any relatives in aged care facilities when they are unwell.
He said the common first symptoms to look out for are fever, respiratory symptoms, dry cough, muscle aches and pains and incapacitating fatigue.
“Listen to your body and keep hydrated.”
He also warned people of the importance of hygiene heading into spring, as it is a time where doctors see a lot of winter gastro cases.
