Everything you need to know about the flu this winter

With winter fast approaching it’s time to start preparing our bodies to fight off this year’s strain of influenza and building our immune system to resist common colds.

Every year, health experts work to develop a new vaccine to protect against influenza as new strains emerge each year.

This year’s vaccine is effective against four different strains. As our bodies become for susceptible to influenza as we age, it’s important for over-60s to take action and have the flu shot as early as possible.

How bad is this year’s virus?

Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse pharmacist Carolyn Clementson says a particularly nasty flu season in the Northern Hemisphere is a sign of things to come this year.

“Different strains emerge all the time and that’s why the vaccine changes every year,” Clementson told Starts at 60. “They work out what was most prevalent in the season that’s just gone.

“So for this season they’re looking at what happened in the Northern Hemisphere over their winter.”

While this year’s vaccine is designed to protect against the strain that took hold overseas, it is not active against mutations or new strains that may enter the country.

“They’ll also make some predictions about what’s happened in the past and what the four most prevalent strains are,” she said. “But it only protects you against those four strains.

“So if something else came into Australia or something mutates or there’s a different strain of the virus then that can obviously proliferate and cause infection.”

How can you protect yourself?

Experts recommend getting the flu shot every year as your first step towards deterring influenza. However, there are also other ways you can support your immune system and ward off common colds.

There is some evidence to suggest supplements like echinacea can build your immunity, while Vitamin C and Zinc will help reduce symptoms of a common cold. On top of that, Clementson said general hygiene like hand washing goes a long way.

“Get vaccinated as soon as possible,” she said. “Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing the flu, but there are things you can do throughout flu season to minimise the spread of the virus.

“Wash your hands regularly with soap if possible and if not you can use antibacterial gel.”

On top of this, study’s have found a number of ways to build the immune system and fight off infection:

• No smoking
• Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Control your blood pressure
• Only drink alcohol in moderation
• Get adequate sleep

Can you get the flu after having the shot?

This is a myth that seems to rear its head every year, but Clementson says there’s actually no truth to it.

“No, a flu short cannot cause flu illness,” she said. “Flu vaccines are either made with ‘inactivated’ flu virus particles, which are not contagious, or with no flu viruses at all. People may become ill from other respiratory viruses besides flu, causing symptoms similar to flu, which may cause confusion.

“Also, it is possible to be exposed to influenza viruses shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two weeks after vaccination when you are sill developing immunity.”

How much does it cost?

Under the National Immunisation Program, the flu vaccine is free for those over the age of 65 or suffering from a chronic illness.

It is available from the GP and other immunisation providers such as pharmacists. The government recommends getting vaccinated every year as strains in the virus change regularly.

A vaccine for Pneumococcal polysaccharide is also available for free for over-65s under the national program.