Cold snap sees rise in flu bugs
Doctors are seeing more people with colds and flu this year than at the same time in the past two years.
The Health Department's monitoring of GPs has revealed a higher number of winter illnesses.
Doctors are reporting an influx of people with colds, flu and other respiratory illnesses at GP surgeries and hospital emergency departments.
Apart from flu, other germs on the rise include para-influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses, which can lead to respiratory infections such as bronchitis, and rhinoviruses which cause the common cold.
Australian Medical Association WA spokesman and Port Kennedy GP Richard Choong said doctors were seeing plenty of colds and there had been a marked rise in flu cases.
"We don't know if it's an early spike that will be a one-off or whether it could be a marker of how the rest of the season will go because we're only in mid-July and still a month away from the time when the winter flu season can go pear-shaped," he said.
"There's definitely been a surge in symptoms and presentations for upper respiratory tract infections over the past three weeks, with numbers gradually increasing.
"It's a sign the cold, wet weather is really setting in and we have to brace ourselves, although to some extent we can't predict how bad it will get."
Dr Choong said doctors in hospital emergency departments were seeing an increase in people suffering serious complications from flu.
"If it continues into a bad season, it will put increased pressure on our hospitals," he said.
"We're keeping an eye on what is happening in other cities around Australia to see what might be ahead for us."
A Health Department spokeswoman said laboratory tests showed that the flu viruses were a mixture of influenza A types, including the 2009 pandemic strain or swine flu, and influenza B viruses.
"Other viruses such as common cold viruses and RSV are also circulating, contributing to the cough and cold illnesses being reported in the community," the spokeswoman said.
Dr Choong said flu sufferers should stay away from work.Cold Flu Symptoms - News
"There's definitely been a surge in symptoms and presentations for upper respiratory tract infections over the past three weeks, with numbers gradually increasing. "It's a sign the cold, wet weather is really setting in and we have to brace ourselves,
Antibiotics are useless against cold and flu viruses, but some secondary infections and complications are bacterial and may need such treatment. If symptoms persist or worsen, see your doctor. Prevention is better than cure, so the best defence against
nature of the flu virus. At the meeting, it was decided to permit holidays for a week to those students suffering from common cold, throat pain, and fever. Students with similar symptoms should also be referred to the health centres for treatment.
He said there was a huge difference between influenza and the common cold. “When we are referring to the flu it is the influenza virus, not the cough/cold virus,” he said. So how do you know if your coughing, sneezing and spluttering are symptoms of
Dr. Larry Jecha, health officer for the Benton-Franklin Health District, said the virus that's going around isn't flu, even though the symptoms are similar. Samples taken from sick people and tested for flu have been coming back negative, he said.
What are swine flu symptoms? - COLD & FLU HEALTH BLOG
From seasonal flu in that most serious illnesses have been in younger age groups.
A doctor faced with a symptomatic patient cannot yet predict with certainty the course of their illness and whether or not they will be in the small proportion who may become more seriously ill.
This is why antiviral medication is still being given to all those with swine flu in the UK, subject to their doctor’s discretion.Swine Flu Australia H1N1 Influenza 09 – What to expect if you have Human Swine Flu pcIt causes death in nearly 99% of all cases. It is a slow painful death in which the body literally “eats” itself, resulting in decomposed flesh. After death, the virus controls the body, resulting in the body moving around and acting similarly to a zombie. Studies on the illness have not shown if the “zombies” are harmful, but they are becoming faster and smarter as time goes on.
@ He's got a cold/flu. All the symptoms, poor George. Have u sorted out the order of service n found a jacket?
Flu, Cold, Nasty Symptoms and Natural Remedy #flu #cold #symptoms 
Stupid NyQuil "temporarily relieves common cold/flu symptoms" lol. 
@ Got a cold, flu symptoms and constant headaches. feel great :D :| LOL.. Yeah definately.. 2 weeks then back for a week and a half
Symptoms While Having The Cold/flu? - I like my father get really bad coughs when... symptoms-while-having-the-coldflu/Cold Flu Symptoms - Bookshelf
Jet
But if the flu is misdiag- nosed as a bad cold, deadly flu complications such as pneumonia may be overlooked. To distinguish the two, cold symptoms begin ...Prescription Alternatives:Hundreds of Safe, Natural, Prescription-Free Remedies to Restore and Maintain Your Health, Fourth Edition
If a full-blown cold or flu can't be averted, you can find many ways to suppress cold and flu symptoms at any drugstore. But suppressing symptoms with drugs ...The Body Clock Guide to Better Health, How to Use Your Body's Natural Clock to Fight Illness and Achieve Maximum Health
"Evidence for zinc and echinacea, the current top two alternative cold cures," ... Medications Can Ease Flu Symptoms If you've got symptoms such as muscle ...New Medicine
PREDISPOSING FACTORS • Exposure to others who have a cold or the flu • Overwork and being “run down” • Low immune function IMPORTANT If cold or flu symptoms ...Working Mother
Many people use the term "flu" to mean any combination of these symptoms, such as the common cold, but true influenza infection is often worse and may last ...Media Info Directory
Flu or Cold? Or Swine Flu? Know the Differences
Do you have flu or cold symptoms? Learn more about flu and cold symptoms so you'll know when to call the doctor too see if flu antiviral medications might help.
Cold and Flu (Influenza) Center: Symptoms, Treatments, Causes ...
How to recognize the symptoms of cold and flu, which treatments work best, and advice on staying healthy during cold and flu season.
Symptoms of the Cold and Flu - What are Symptoms of the Cold ...
Cold and flu symptoms may be similar, but there are some differences. Learn about cold and flu symptoms and how to determine whether you have the flu or a common cold. ...
Colds and the Flu -- Infections -- familydoctor.org
Although the common cold and the flu share many similar symptoms, they are 2 different conditions. The symptoms of a cold develop slowly and can include: ...
Cold and Flu Symptoms
This eMedTV page explains the differences between signs and symptoms of cold and flu, and discusses treatment and prevention for both ...