Flu (influenza) spreads quickly from person to person through touch and through droplets in the air. This includes:
You are most likely to get the flu during 'flu season' — May to October in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Adults are most likely to be contagious in the first 3 to 5 days of illness. Young tamariki can be contagious for more than 5 days.
The flu virus infects your nose, throat and lungs. It is normally worse than a cold.
It can take between 1 to 4 days to feel symptoms after you catch flu. The worst symptoms usually last about 5 days, but coughing can last up to 2 to 3 weeks.
Symptoms of flu start suddenly and can include:
- fever or feeling feverish
- chills
- muscle or body aches
- headache
- runny or stuffy nose
- cough
- sore throat
- upset stomach, vomiting or runny poos (diarrhoea).
Illnesses with similar symptoms
Flu symptoms can be similar to other illnesses like COVID-19 or meningococcal disease. If you suspect someone in your whānau has meningococcal disease, seek urgent medical attention.
Preventing flu
The flu virus changes often. This means the vaccine has to be adjusted each year to match the new strains of the disease. Your best defence against flu is to get a yearly flu vaccine and follow basic hygiene practices.
Some people can get flu vaccines for free. Find out about flu vaccines and when to get them.
Flu (influenza) vaccine
Other ways to avoid flu
You can also protect yourself and your whānau in other ways.
- Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, and dry them for 20 seconds — or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Do not share drinks.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Treating flu
Caring for yourself and others
If you are unwell, stay at home and rest in a separate, well-ventilated room away from other people if you can.
Drink small amounts of fluids often.
You can also take appropriate medicines to relieve discomfort and fever if you need to.
Caring for pēpi and tamariki
When pēpi or tamariki have flu, it is important to do the following.
- Keep them at home resting until they are well.
- Care for them in a separate, well-ventilated room away from others if possible.
- Breastfeed more or give them more of the fluids they usually drink.
- Give paracetamol or ibuprofen if they have pain or discomfort in the dose recommended on the package, unless your healthcare provider says otherwise. Do not give aspirin to tamariki under 14 years of age.
