The Flu and You

This year, a new influenza A virus, H1N1 influenza 09 (or swine flu), spread in NSW, along with other influenza viruses seen each winter.

This influenza produces a mild illness in most, a severe illness in some and is a moderate illness overall. It is important to remember that there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of becoming infected with influenza, and, if you already have the flu, to reduce your risk of spreading it to others. These measures include good hand hygiene and good cough and sneeze etiquette.

About Antiviral Medications.
Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu or Relenza usually only reduce the duration and severity of influenza if started within 48 hours of the first symptoms. Antivirals do not improve the course of other illnesses such as the common cold.

Antivirals often cause side effects (especially nausea) and if your influenza is mild, the treatment side effects may not be justified, even based solely on your comfort.  Antivirals can cause serious side effects in rare cases, such as allergy.

If your influenza is mild, (ie fevers and cough present, but no shortness of breath, and no confused mental state and no other constitutional symptoms), AND you do not have any of the following conditions:

• any long term respiratory or breathing problem, including asthma
• any problem with your heart
• any problem with your kidney function (excluding bladder infections)
• any problem with your blood cells, related to anemia
• any chronic neurological problem including multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
• diabetes or other metabolic problem
• immunosuppression through chemotherapy, prednisone, or methotrexate
• substantially overweight
• pregnant 

then it is likely that the best thing for you is bed rest, pharmaceutical or natural cold and flu medications, plenty of fluids and voluntary isolation for the duration of the illness (expect 7 days).

It is still worth having a physical examination to exclude other problems, but if you are confident that you are otherwise well, it is not unreasonable to rest at home and make an appointment to see your doctor if you get any worse.
If you need a work certificate, you'll need to see your doctor.